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Oct 21, 2008 · BuddhaJones Message Board

Views on the Practice of Politics

PracticeBuddhismPoliticsIndependent

Check out this collection of short essays on dharma and the practice of politics from Shambhala Sun.

I'm haunted by the first entry, "A Buddhist Brawl" by Richard Reoch -- it's an anecdote about how a Buddhist retreat on nonviolence deteriorated into mob assault.

I have never witnessed anything quite like that, but I have seen Buddhists use threats, intimidation and relational aggression for the sake of "protecting" what they deem "sacred." Reoch's story offers a timely lesson for us all. Linky.

4 comments

deardenver
Oct 21, 2008 at 3:43 AM

Just saw this on the Pew site:

Lori Lipman Brown has had her fill of God-talk."It's a very frustrating time," said Brown, director of the Washington-based Secular Coalition for America, the first lobbying organization devoted to secular issues."All of us have been very hopeful that at the end of the Bush administration, we would stop seeing theology impose itself on civil law and yet in just the last few months, we've heard both major party presidential candidates support faith-based initiatives."For obvious reasons, Brown and other nonbelievers dislike President Bush's emphasis on integrating religious faith with public policy. But what has her more upset -- and perhaps disappointed -- is the Democrats' newfound emphasis on religion and courtship of evangelical voters.
I'm Buddhist but I count myself among the secular constituency that wants less religion in public policy. This is one area where I feel completely abandoned by the Democratic Party.I'd like to see a political party that embraces fiscal conservatism/responsibility/realism and eschews the imposition of religious beliefs on public life yet champions social justice. Where can I find a party like that?http://www.pewforum.org/
Armchair
Oct 21, 2008 at 5:55 AM

DearD,You ask when?  Well, this is the first election where gays are allowed to be "tolerated" (gad, I hate that word) and partnered, on both sides of the usual political spectrum, something I have hoped I would see in this lifetime.  And I wasn't at all sure that I would live to see a black president, but that may happen.Also, the religious right, so vehement and so powerful in the last 2 elections are mysteriously pretty much silent this time.  Wonder why?So, I think politics is a process, an evolution, though what may seem so clear and simple to you, as other things are to others of us, is the pointer heading in the right direction.Thank you...Armchair

deardenver
Oct 21, 2008 at 10:40 PM

Armchair, you said:

Well, this is the first election where gays are allowed to be "tolerated" (gad, I hate that word) and partnered, on both sides of the usual political spectrum, something I have hoped I would see in this lifetime.
Actually, no. Neither party supports gay marriage. The Dem Party supports civil unions but has pointedly said "no" to gay marriage.Yesterday, Sarah Palin said she would support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, while McCain supports banning gay marriage state by state.In California, Prop 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Obama opposes it -- so does Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. And yet:
Black Californians back the anti-gay measure by a margin of 20 points, 58 - 38, in the SUSA poll.
Just some facts for you to consider.
Armchair
Oct 22, 2008 at 9:23 PM

You are right, DD, I should have been more explicit, though, according to each debate that I have watched and the candidates declarations, neither side "supports" gay marriage (although I betcha Obama would if he could openly in this nasty climate, that you have observed).  But, they do give the nod to "tolerance" (the word is anathema in the gay world) and allowing partners to visit each other in the hospital, that sort of thing.Gay marriage, uh uh.  I didn't mean to give that impression.  I thought I was clearer.Thanks...Armchair

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