In Democratic Nations, Freedom of Religion is Not Always Guaranteed

What does this post have to do with horsemanship? Absolutely nothing. Not interested in international politics and religion? Click away now.

We know that freedom of religion is not a guaranteed right from the history of the United States. We were founded on the basis of the guarantee of freedom of religion, but still the melding of church and state is sometimes sneaky and insidious. It’s more overt in Viet Nam.

This is a very interesting book, for non-Buddhists, too

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk who promotes engaged Buddhism, has begun a desperate, last minute petition to save Bat Nha monastery in Viet Nam. His goal is 10,000 signatures for presentation to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I’m not sure how the committee might help, but it’s a start.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

I you feel strongly about freedom of religion in the world and the right of monks to live in peace to preserve tradition and this peaceful religious sect which serves the needs of people around the world through service, please consider signing the petition.

If you do, please comment here. Come to think of it, let me know your feelings about this kind of post here. As this blog grows, it seems to be taking on a slightly different form from time to time. If you find this divergence is capturing your attention in either a positive or negative way, I’d like to know about it.