Hidden Truths?

17 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Pope FrancisI was dismayed to hear this morning, that the Catholic Church in England are refusing to publish the results of a recent survey of  sexual ethics of such subjects as contraception, cohabitation and homosexuality.

The German Catholic Church have published their results, but it seems that their English colleagues are sticking to Pope Francis’ request that they are not to be released until after further discussions on October.

What are they scared of revealing?  That their flock are completely at odds with the thinking of the clergy? It’s 2014 not 1814, the Inquisition is a thing of the past, people are allowed to have their own views, and have those views heard, aren’t they?

It’s none of my business, if I’m honest. I’m not, nor have I ever been Catholic, but I do strongly believe that honesty and openness are the way forward. If you don’t want to know the answer to something, don’t ask the question. But once it’s asked, let everyone know the outcome. To do otherwise simply encourages supposition and criticism.

A Christian Attitude?

06 Mar 2012 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

The Most Reverend Vincent NicholsFollowing the storm around Cardinal O’Brien’s bigoted statement about the Government’s proposed changes in the law allowing same-sex marriages, it now appears that The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster has decided to pour more fuel on the fire.

He has been reported as saying that such a legal change would be a ‘profoundly radical step’ that threatens the ‘fundamental humanity’ expressed by matrimony. But who are these people to try to dictate just what humanity’s fundamentals should, or more importantly, shouldn’t be?

His statements come in a letter, due to be read out in 2,500 Catholic churches across the country this Sunday. The aim of said letter is to urge parishioners to sign a petition by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey’s Coalition for Marriage, which argues that the current law does not discriminate against same-sex couples.

The whole episode smacks of rank homophobia and flies in the face of the Christian teaching that we are all made in the image of God. If there is a God, and we are indeed made in his image, surely that applies to everyone, not just the heterosexual amongst us. It is akin to the apartheid laws banning mixed race marriages that existed in South Africa or the similar colour bar laws in the USA. Both of which have been repealed many, many years ago.

Buddhism is an inclusive religion, it does not exclude anyone, for any reason. Nor, in the case of Nichiren Buddhism, does it have any form of duality, a set of dos and don’ts, just the fundamental principle of personal responsibility. Having exclusive rules, such as those of marriage, simply serves to promote the idea of ‘them and us’ and totally belittles the idea of loving thy neighbour.

We live in a modern, accepting, multicultural society and should strive to embrace the differences between the members of that society. If we are found to be discriminating against sex, race or creed, we are rightly subject to censure, so why are homosexuals excluded from those social ideals?

In this respect, the Catholic church further illustrates the fact that it is totally out of touch with modern thinking. Of course there will be people who champion that, but these are the very people who aim to divide society and subjugate minorities with whom they disagree.

Surely the people who look to the Catholic church for spiritual guidance deserve better. A good Christian attitude is to be applauded, it shows wisdom, courage and compassion, all of which are needed to accept the differences between us. But in my view, this is anything but a good Christian attitude, so let’s nip this farce in the bud and urge the Government to press ahead with these long-overdue changes to an arcane law.

Unforgiveable

09 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

The Catholic ChurchPaedophilia is, in my opinion, the most awful sin. As Nichiren Buddhism has no rules, there is nothing to say that it is wrong, except that abusing a child must attract the worse kind of karma. So to hear, yet again, that children in the care of a Catholic establishment have been abused many times over the last thirty years is shocking. How can any man, let alone a man of faith, justify such actions?

Not only is it a disgraceful abuse of their position of trust, but yet again, the Catholic Church has been found wanting in it’s condemnation of these criminals. In a recent report, Lord Carlile of Berriew said the form of governance at the school was “wholly out-dated and demonstrably unacceptable”.

It appears that a recent decision by judges has ruled that the Catholic church can be held responsible for allowing the conditions for such abuse to occur. With that in mind, I hope that victims will take the church to court and seek financial reparation. Maybe, if it starts to feel the effects of this in it’s bank balance, the leaders will finally start to take the issue seriously and ensure the practice is stopped.

Paedophilia is totally unacceptable under any circumstance, but when it is practiced by people supposedly living in a pious and religious manner, it is completely unforgivable.