State Religion Rejected

The Constitution Drafting Assembly of Thailand voted overwhelmingly (66-9)
against raising the status of Buddhism to “state religion” on 29 June, based on principles of freedom and equality. “Democracy does not force people to have or follow the same culture and that people are free to choose their beliefs equally” as Pasong Soonsiri, head of the Drafting Committee, says. I want to congratulate him and other members of the committee for successfully keeping religions out of state affairs, thus keeping the country away from dictatorship of one religion over the others. The protesting monks should go back to their temple to meditate and continue a further study of Buddha’s teaching. They should also learn to take into consideration that there are many people in the country who are non-believers, who want to think for themselves. They want to have an equal right as citizens of a country that allows them to remain free from intimidations and brainwashing of any religious teacher in a country that respects equal human rights of all citizens from all cultures.