Tim Sakow
Thailand has faced changing values and social beliefs since the 17th century, which began when the first missionaries arrived from the West. Catholicism held much more influence when the Western missionaries first arrived, although it has now subsided in recent years. Today Islam makes up about 5-6% of all Thai beliefs in a population that exceeds sixty-seven million people, which allows some ideas to diffuse through the Thai people. Finally, Buddhism has the most moral influence over the Thai people because of its prominence in the region; about 94-93% of all Thai people are born into the beliefs of Buddhism. In Thailand Catholicism has been seen as admirable because of its values teachings and treatment of life, Islam has brought upon influences through its minorities by advancing human rights in society, although some Buddhist social teachings about women prove to be negative on the lifestyle of Thai people.
Over a century ago King Mongkut of Thailand spoke out about Catholic teachings and the good that it brings his people. Mongkut watched his people interact with discipline and equality and said to a missionary, “What you teach them to do is admirable, but what you teach them to believe is foolish” (www.ywamthai.org). Although, the concept of God, Divine Revelation, and Redemption of sin may not have been well understood by the Thai leader, he understood the good that was produced by the religion. Equality and human rights, regardless of education, is a teaching that all people can understand. In 1963, Pope John XXIII announced Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), which affirms human rights as something that cannot be violated (www.osjspm.org). By 1975 the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR) began to aid Thai people who were in need of health services, education, as well as skills training (www.globalhand.org). These services and social beliefs influence others to believe in education and fair treatment, which can be seen in action within a small rural town in Thailand named Yasothon. Santitham, which resides within Yasothon, is a school which is run by donations and volunteers. Created in 1967 to help children and parents alike understand the value of education and has expanded their minds to strive to become a world citizen and eager to aid humanity (www.onecountry.org).
The Islamic faith in Thailand is relatively small, but to tensions that were faced between the government and the Muslims allowed for more human rights to be taken in account. “Know ye that every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim, and that you are now one brotherhood” (www.religion-spirituality.org). Muslims believe in a brotherhood where they stick up and bind tightly with other Muslims, which is shown by the small percentage of people that follow the faith in Thailand. The Thai government has been known for discriminating against the Islamic minorities, but because of that the issues had been reconsidered and reanalyzed. Public policies of Thailand have been looking to fix the problems because of the dedication and perseverance of the Thai Muslims. Regardless of setbacks that the Thai government has seen in recent years with Thai Muslims, the dedicated practices of Islamic faith have gained the support of Thai citizens and neighboring countries (www.cidcm.umd.edu).
In Buddhism women are often looked down upon in terms of politics, and within the past five decades politics in Thailand have been heated (www.accesstoinsight.org). Buddhist teachings do not look down upon women, but in Thailand there is still a religious link to traditions that leave men in power of politics, which allows women to be mistreated. As men continue to dominate, laws and acts that protect the rights of women and children are neglected for economic and personal benefit. Although the Buddhist social beliefs of women do allow for female monks, the Thai clergy has avoided this for a long time. The first female Thai monk was ordained in 2002, which was after the large economic decline that caused an outburst in prostitution (www.thaibuddhism.net). Even if female monks are becoming more prominent in the 21st century, the decades of male dominance caused a decline in morality for women.
Thailand has been influenced by the social teachings of Catholicism, Islam, and most of all Buddhism. Although Catholicism in Thailand is minimal, it has still had some positive impact on the Thai people. The perseverance and fortitude of the Islamic faith and belief in a brotherhood have allowed some human rights acts to advance in recent times. Buddhism is the most influential of the three religions because it is has the largest percentage of followers, and the influences have not been necessarily good for the nation. The sense of male dominance in clergy meant male dominance in government, which discouraged the power and rights of women. Due to the male superiority in Thailand, brothels and prostitution has been disregarded as a problem because of the physical and economic benefits the nation receives.
"Doctrines and Tenets of Islam." Religion-Spirituality.org The Bohemian Guide to Faith, World Religion. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.religion-spirituality.org/islam/doctrines-tenets.php>.
"First Female Thai Monk." Thai Buddhism. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.thaibuddhism.net/female_monk.htm>.
"Global Hand." Global Hand: Home. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.globalhand.org/en/browse/global_issues/7/organisation/organisation/22970>.
"In Thailand, a Provincial School Paves the Way for Education in a Global Society." One Country. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.onecountry.org/e101/e10104as.htm>.
"MAR | Data | Assessment for Malay-Muslims in Thailand." CIDCM | Home. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/mar/assessment.asp?groupId=80002>.
"The Position of Women in Buddhism." Access to Insight. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/dewaraja/wheel280.html>.
"Religious History of Thailand." YWAM Thailand. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.ywamthai.org/office/religion>.
"Social Teaching Documents." Catholic Charities' Office for Social Justice. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.osjspm.org/social_teaching_documents.aspx>.
"Thailand." U.S. Department of State. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2814.htm>.
Your information regarding the influence of Catholic Social Teaching on the Thai people is valid, and even the Thai leader recognized the good impact that the religion had in the country. Catholic Social Teaching distinguishes a type of social justice which that persons have an obligation to be active and productive participants in the life of society and that society has a duty to enable them to participate in this way (Catholic Social Teaching).
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your statement that Islam has influenced human rights in Thailand. The phrase “human rights” would mean rights for all people, and in this case it seems to be invalid because the women under this faith are clearly not treated with the same respect as the men. “Know ye that every Muslim is a brother to every other Muslim, and that you are now one brotherhood” (World Religion Made Interesting). The key word here is brother. While the men treat each other with respect and fight for human rights, they do not give the women these same privileges. Women cannot worship God by fasting without the permission of her husband; they cannot speak with their fiancés on the telephone because it is considered seductive; they cannot refuse their husbands sex, yet their husbands can refuse them sex for no reason at all; they cannot even attend funerals (El Fadl, 260). With that being said, how can you say that Islam influences human rights in Thailand? A woman may not even be allowed to attend the funeral of her parents or children! Islam only aids to the oppression of women in Thailand.
Abou, El Fadl, Khaled. The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists. New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 2007. Print.
“Catholic Social Teaching." Major Themes Dignity. Office for Social Justice. Web. 11 May 2011. .
"World Religion Made Interesting." World Religion Made Interesting. Web. 12 May 2011. .
^SORRY! THAT WAS JENNIFER ELOVITZ!
ReplyDeleteAnthony Greenfield
ReplyDeleteThe early practices of the Catholic missionaries were admirable, as stated in this essay, but were widely unsuccessful. Even though the intentions were good, the small population of Catholics as well as the vast number of problems caused the Catholic Church to try and expand too quickly. This caused the Church to fail at completing a great majority of its tasks (Society of St. Pious X). Also stated was the development of education in the 1960s and the 1970s, which clearly had little effect over the people because of the moral corruption they face today. Education is definitely needed to help Thailand rise out of poverty, but the Catholics’ efforts need to step up more if they want to accomplish anything.
I agree that the Muslims’ message can aid the people once the government overcomes their prejudices and discriminations.
Buddhism does prohibit women from any political power, but it does not give men the right to sell women into prostitution. Even with women clergy members, not much can be accomplished unless women can be voted into the government. The clergy members do have some say in political matters, but not enough women are in the clergy to make any noise. Although it is a good start, women do not have the power to end human trafficking themselves; they need the support of the men to end it.
http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2002/Oct-Dec/Catholic_Church_in_Thailand.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/kusalasaya/wheel085.html
RE: Jennifer
ReplyDeleteTim Sakow
Jen, I see where you are coming from, but your argument regarding Islamic women in Thailand doesn't really hold water for this topic. Understand that muslims may have strict beliefs regarding women and how they should be concealed, but Muslims do not believe in the acts of human trafficking. The reason for the Muslims believing in such strict codes of concealment is to avoid sexual urges or wants, which contradicts the idea of human sex trafficking. Even if the women of Islamic faith are not treated with perfect equality in relations to men, fair practicing Muslims will not condone the acts of human sex trafficking of a daughter or son. From that standpoint, it does not encourage the idea of trafficking and prostitution, more so forbids it.
http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/mar/assessment.asp?groupId=80002
Andrea Vilchez
ReplyDeleteCatholic missionaries have indeed been doing extensive work in an attempt to provide relief for the Thai people, as well as educate them. These workers have been striving particularly for the improvement of the status of women and children and the issue of human sex trafficking. Nevertheless, these efforts often seem to be to no avail, as the Catholic influence in Thailand is only minor (HelloSiam.com). With a majority of the population following Buddhist beliefs, Catholic teaching—while it has made some impact on Thai society—has not become so great an influence as to suppress the country’s sex trafficking.
In addition, I find your assessment of Muslim influence on Thai society debatable. While you note that Islamic beliefs have influenced human rights in Thailand, the fact that the religion itself does not offer equal treatment of all human proves to be contradictory to your argument. While the Qu’ran itself offers women the same rights it does men (Women Rights in Islam), Islamic law often finds itself contradicting the holy text, calling for the submission of women to their male counterparts, as well as the relinquishment of their rights (Women in Islam). Islam, with its strong advocacy of human rights, in fact suppresses the rights of women in their male dominant society. While it is in fact only a minority religion in Thailand, Islam’s principles of male dominance are highly unlikely to have “allowed for human rights to be taken in account” as you stated above.
Naasir-ud-Deen, Shaikh Muhammad. "Women's Rights In Islam." The Muslim Woman. Web. 16 May 2011. http://www.themuslimwoman.com/herrights/womensrights.htm.
"Religion in Thailand." HelloSiam.com. 2001. Web. 16 May 2011. http://www.hellosiam.com/html/thailand/thailand-religion.htm.
Shamoun, Sam. "Women in Islam [Part 4]." Answering Islam, A Christian-Muslim Dialog and Apologetic. Web. 16 May 2011. http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/women_in_islam4.htm.
RE: Anthony
ReplyDeleteTim Sakow
Well Anthony, to be honest the education system in Thailand is actually fairly good quality. They are required at least 9 years of schooling for basic education, but generally take at least 12. After that colleges and universities become optional, but the first 12 years are paid for by the government. The Catholics efforts are small, but are mainly contributing to the areas where the least population and most depression is in rural areas. The rural areas are the areas that suffer the most educationally, and economically. Therefore, even though the Catholic school systems that are paid for and run by volunteers are small, they are affecting a decent amount of people in relativity to population in an area. Affecting one region positively has the potential to spread.
Women being suppressed does greatly affect the power that women have in society, and ultimately begins to affect the issues regarding sex trafficking, because it is often overlooked and ignored by the males of the government and society. It is well understood that corruption within the government and regular religious beliefs make it extremely hard for women to have any sort of chance in gaining political and religious power, which is a definite negative repercussion on moral values of Thailand.
http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/thailand.htm
http://www.transworldeducation.com/articles/thailand2.htm
RE: Andrea
ReplyDeleteTim Sakow
As I stated in one of my previous comments, the restriction and submission of women in Islamic faith is different from that of restriction and submission in sex trafficking. Women are often looked down upon as a lesser being in many cultures, but are much more respected in Islamic faith than in Thai culture. Sex trafficking strips woman of all their rights, of all their dignity, and usually of all their personal information and identity. Leaving them a nameless slave with a price tag on their bodies. Even in Islamic faith, where women are restricted, women aren't sold into slavery. And to reiterate a previous post, most laws based on the Holy Text is to avoid sexual temptation, which is clearly opposite from the idea of sex trafficking.
http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/mar/assessment.asp?groupId=80002
Kate Molinari
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Islam in Thailand, there seems to be something missing in your argument; the impact it has had on Thailand's morality. It is most definitely true that the Muslims of Thailand have faced great discrimination, and it is also true that they have formed a tight community. What the argument lacks is what is it about Islam that "allows more human rights to be taken into account." Most of Islam's teachings support human rights, from the most basic right to life to the more intricate rights like freedom of expression and equality before the law ("Basic Human Rights").
Your argument also fails to elaborate Buddhism's ties to sexual discrimination within Thailand. From the beginning, Buddhism has promoted equal religious opportunities for men and women. This can be seen in the fact that the Buddha himself admitted women into religious communities as nuns in a time of even greater discrimination (O'Brien). If this is so, I fail to see the ties Buddhism has to this discrimination.
"Basic Human Rights." Islam 101. Web. 17 May 2011. .
O'Brien, Barbara. "Women and the Buddha -- What the Buddha Taught about Women." Buddhism. Web. 18 May 2011. .
RE: Kate
ReplyDeleteTim Sakow
Since the Islamic regions of Thailand are tight-knit and often focus on equal rights they have a good amount of potential to aid Thailand's morality. There has been progress with the Muslim communities becoming more accepted by the Thai government, whereas there have also been lapses in its progress. Regardless, the potential of the Muslim community positively affecting the people of Thailand still stands because their values exist within the Thai culture. It is just a matter of how many people will respect and catch on to the ideas of human rights, based on Islamic belief.
Buddhism does promote equal opportunities for both men and women religiously, but Thailand has not fully incorporated women religiously or governmentally. This is apparent because the first female monk in Thailand was ordained in 2002. It may not so much be the religion as it is the dominance of men within society and government. Men have always ruled the monarchy and have always ruled ordained lifestyles in Thailand, with little female influence, not much in terms of discrimination can be done unless males of the society begin to back women. The idea of men backing women in Thai society is not really a fathomable thought because of the discrimination that already exists.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/dewaraja/wheel280.html
http://www.thaibuddhism.net/female_monk.htm