Morality is defined as "principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong" (Google Dictionary) and is often associated with religion. Without morality, a country's culture would be riddled with crime and human life would be greatly disrespected. This is the case for Thailand, where human sex trafficking ruins the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The moral compass of Thai culture is broken, and to understand religion's role in how it became so and how it can be fixed, one must observe the effects of Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam on the culture of Thailand.
Out of the three religions Buddhism has had the largest impact on Thailand’s morality, and unfortunately has damaged it due to a couple of reasons. First, Buddhism has no set moral code (“Buddhism in Thailand, the Buddhist Religion”). Without a moral code, a religion cannot create boundaries on respecting the human person. In Thailand, this has created a moral dilemma. Because 94% of the population follow Buddhism (“Thai Religion, Buddhism Explained”), a faith without moral boundaries, the overwhelming majority of Thai people are jaded to many crimes against humanity such as human sex trafficking. To add, Buddhism has faced a decline within Thailand, suffering economically and socially. Since the economic crisis of 1997, Buddhism has faced economic instability. As a result, there have been cases of monks turning to corruption to obtain necessary funds and reports of lay people stealing temple donations (“Thai Buddhism - Buddhism Nowadays”). The economic decline of Buddhism has led to crime, creating moral decay. The faith of the Thai people has declined as well. Industrialization in Thailand has formed a culture of consumerism, which has led to a decrease in religious interest, temple attendance, and the number of monks. The lack of public interest has had a negative impact on Thai morality, since any forms of discipline and respect people may learn from following the Buddhist faith are beginning to disappear.
The Catholic community of Thailand is small—about 0.55% of the population is Christian, and a fraction of that is Catholic (“Thai Religion, Buddhism Explained”). Due to this, the faith has had little impact on Thailand’s moral compass. However, there is great potential for this to change. In the past century, Catholicism has witnessed the development of social teaching. Catholic Social Teaching was developed for the Church and its members to apply the Catholic morality to the modern world (“Catholic Social Teaching”). As such, its numerous teachings on humanity can easily be applied in Thailand, where there is already a Catholic community who lives out these teachings. Catholic Social Teaching is already making a difference in Thai culture. In response to increased domestic abuse, the Catholic Commission for Women and the Catholic Women’s Association of Thailand formed educational programs that teach women the dignity they have as Catholics and as human beings (UCANews). Programs like these can be applied to other situations like sex trafficking, where educating participants on self-worth and morality could give them the initiative to leave the business.
Islam also holds great potential to change the morality of Thailand, but historical circumstances have inhibited the faith’s moral capacity for change. The Muslim faith contains a strict set of moral laws and many are applicable to the issue of sex trafficking. For example, the Qu’ran teaches that sex should take place within marriage alone (Rizvi). Unfortunately, conflict with Muslim extremists has placed a stigma upon the faith in Thailand. The southern region of Thailand was annexed in 1902 and with it a Malay Muslim population. This group has faced governmental discrimination and generalized alienation. In response, Muslim extremists have led insurgencies since the 1940s (Johnson). With insurgent violence that has caused nearly 4,000 deaths since 2004 alone (Magnier), the Thai population and government have fearfully treated followers of the Muslim faith with unfair discrimination. Because of this social barricade, the healing effects Islam might have on Thailand’s morality have been deterred.
Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam have all impacted the morality of Thailand. While Buddhism has had negative effects, Islam has been unable to impact Thai morality beyond its followers due to historical conflict. Up to the present, the impact of the Catholic Church on Thai morality has been felt little, but the development of Catholic Social Teaching is beginning to be felt through education. Perhaps fixing the moral compass lies in education. If the Thai people were reminded of the importance of Buddhism to their culture, taught that Islam is a religion of peace, and educated on Catholic Social Teaching, then perhaps human dignity could be instilled, Islam's morality accepted, and Buddhism's image restored.
Out of the three religions Buddhism has had the largest impact on Thailand’s morality, and unfortunately has damaged it due to a couple of reasons. First, Buddhism has no set moral code (“Buddhism in Thailand, the Buddhist Religion”). Without a moral code, a religion cannot create boundaries on respecting the human person. In Thailand, this has created a moral dilemma. Because 94% of the population follow Buddhism (“Thai Religion, Buddhism Explained”), a faith without moral boundaries, the overwhelming majority of Thai people are jaded to many crimes against humanity such as human sex trafficking. To add, Buddhism has faced a decline within Thailand, suffering economically and socially. Since the economic crisis of 1997, Buddhism has faced economic instability. As a result, there have been cases of monks turning to corruption to obtain necessary funds and reports of lay people stealing temple donations (“Thai Buddhism - Buddhism Nowadays”). The economic decline of Buddhism has led to crime, creating moral decay. The faith of the Thai people has declined as well. Industrialization in Thailand has formed a culture of consumerism, which has led to a decrease in religious interest, temple attendance, and the number of monks. The lack of public interest has had a negative impact on Thai morality, since any forms of discipline and respect people may learn from following the Buddhist faith are beginning to disappear.
The Catholic community of Thailand is small—about 0.55% of the population is Christian, and a fraction of that is Catholic (“Thai Religion, Buddhism Explained”). Due to this, the faith has had little impact on Thailand’s moral compass. However, there is great potential for this to change. In the past century, Catholicism has witnessed the development of social teaching. Catholic Social Teaching was developed for the Church and its members to apply the Catholic morality to the modern world (“Catholic Social Teaching”). As such, its numerous teachings on humanity can easily be applied in Thailand, where there is already a Catholic community who lives out these teachings. Catholic Social Teaching is already making a difference in Thai culture. In response to increased domestic abuse, the Catholic Commission for Women and the Catholic Women’s Association of Thailand formed educational programs that teach women the dignity they have as Catholics and as human beings (UCANews). Programs like these can be applied to other situations like sex trafficking, where educating participants on self-worth and morality could give them the initiative to leave the business.
Islam also holds great potential to change the morality of Thailand, but historical circumstances have inhibited the faith’s moral capacity for change. The Muslim faith contains a strict set of moral laws and many are applicable to the issue of sex trafficking. For example, the Qu’ran teaches that sex should take place within marriage alone (Rizvi). Unfortunately, conflict with Muslim extremists has placed a stigma upon the faith in Thailand. The southern region of Thailand was annexed in 1902 and with it a Malay Muslim population. This group has faced governmental discrimination and generalized alienation. In response, Muslim extremists have led insurgencies since the 1940s (Johnson). With insurgent violence that has caused nearly 4,000 deaths since 2004 alone (Magnier), the Thai population and government have fearfully treated followers of the Muslim faith with unfair discrimination. Because of this social barricade, the healing effects Islam might have on Thailand’s morality have been deterred.
Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam have all impacted the morality of Thailand. While Buddhism has had negative effects, Islam has been unable to impact Thai morality beyond its followers due to historical conflict. Up to the present, the impact of the Catholic Church on Thai morality has been felt little, but the development of Catholic Social Teaching is beginning to be felt through education. Perhaps fixing the moral compass lies in education. If the Thai people were reminded of the importance of Buddhism to their culture, taught that Islam is a religion of peace, and educated on Catholic Social Teaching, then perhaps human dignity could be instilled, Islam's morality accepted, and Buddhism's image restored.
Works Cited
"Buddhism in Thailand, the Buddhist Religion." Asiatours.net - Thailand Hotels and Tours - Asia Travel. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://asiatours.net/thailand/info/buddhism.html>.
"Catholic Social Teaching." Web Messenger. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.csnmail.net/~dsao/cst1.htm>.
Johnson, Toni. "The Muslim Insurgency in Southern Thailand." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 10 Sept. 2008. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.cfr.org/thailand/muslim-insurgency-southern-thailand/p12531>.
Magnier, Mark. "Thailand | Muslim Insurgency in Thailand Grinds on - Page 3 - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times, 04 Apr. 2010. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/04/world/la-fg-thailand-insurgency4-2010apr04/3>.
Rizvi, Sayyid M. "Chapter Three: The Islamic Sexual Morality (2) Its Structure." Al-Islam.org by the Ahlul Bayt DILP - Home. Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.al-islam.org/m_morals/chap3.htm>.
"Thai Buddhism - Buddhism Nowadays." Thaiworldview.com. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.thaiworldview.com/bouddha/bouddha4.htm>.
"Thailand Religion, Buddhism Explained." Thailand Vacation. Essential Thailand Holiday Planner and Shopping Resource. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.thaifocus.com/religion.htm>.
UCANews. "More than Half of Thai Catholic Women Abused, Survey Reveals - International." Catholic Online. 4 Apr. 2006. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19311>.
Anthony Greenfield
ReplyDeleteKate, it is apparent that Buddhism has had little influence of the people due to their lack in moral codes. But, karma is a form of morality and should be taught to the people as a way to change their lives and get on the path towards nirvana.
At the same time, it is very unlikely for Catholics to have any impact on the Thai because of their small population. Their work with women is a good start, but it will only amount to the women converting to Catholicism. Also, the government does not care what religion the women are or if they have self respect; their job is to sell these women for revenue (Human Trafficking-Thailand). Although it is a good idea to teach these women self respect, maybe the goal should be to teach men and the government respect for women instead.
Your essay states that Islam has potential to help Thailand, yet it also states that Muslims face discrimination. If Muslims are given little respect and are being suppressed, how can they aid in the fight against sex trafficking? Although I do agree that Islam’s moral beliefs of human equality can help Thailand, your essay states that their relationship with the government is an unhealthy one, mainly because of their terrorist actions that cause the Thai to be in fear of them. Of course, the rising population of moderate Muslims can assist in the spread of human rights (Islam in Thailand).
http://www.thaiworldview.com/bouddha/islam.htm
http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/thailand
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTim Sakow
ReplyDeleteEven though Catholics may be aiding in someways to help the respect of human rights, I can not see it doing much for helping self-worth and giving people the option to leave the business. All people that are placed into sex trafficking never really have the choice, and I'm sure that they believe that they are worth more than a few dollars on the street. The people involved in trafficking have no way out, they are abused and held into their positions by submission. In what way can they actually just leave the business?
http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/thailand.htm
Andrea Vilchez
ReplyDeleteBuddhism is, as you state, the most influential religion in the Thai kingdom. However, because Buddhism lacks a moral code and is often open to different interpretations, the people of Thailand have indeed come to view Buddhism in ways that cause detriment rather help advance the society as a whole. It is particularly, Buddhism’s lack of a moral code that has allowed the religion to be corrupted. This factor, when accompanied by the economic, social, and political turmoil encompassing Thailand in recent years, provides for an overall decline of Thai society. As you mentioned, it is for these reasons that Thailand is experiencing such growth rates in crimes against humanity, specifically the expansion of the sex trafficking industry. And it is at this point, that Thai Buddhists often attempt to use their religion to justify actions that they had originally taken without any religious consideration whatsoever. In these instances, people attempt to rationalize acts such as prostitution through religious motives of gaining karma and good merit.
I must disagree with your assessment of Islamic influence on Thailand, however. Whereas you note that Islam has the potential to fill in for a moral code where Buddhism is lacking, I believe that the Islamic moral code is not the ideal to follow. While certain Islamic sources do protect human life, others advocate discrimination, specifically between genders. Islam often finds itself advocating the mistreatment of women, due to their lesser status than men (TheReligionOfPeace.com). Therefore, Islam’s “moral code” would just as detrimental as Buddhism lack of one.
"TheReligionofPeace - Islam: A Woman Is Worth Less than a Man." Islam: Making a True Difference in the World - One Body at a Time. TheReligionOfPeace.com, 2010. Web. 17 May 2011. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/010-women-worth-less.htm.
RE: Jen Elowitz
ReplyDeleteKate Molinari
While it is true that terrorism escalates and wreaks havoc on the people of southern Thailand, I feel you may be missing a point. The terrorists are not considered part of the Muslim general. They are part of a separatist movement, and may even be involved in large terrorist organizations such as Jemaah Islamiah that has terrorized South East Asia for years ("Thailand's Restive South"). Thus, stating that Islam as a whole has had a negative impact due to some radicals over which the Muslim general has no control feels rather discriminatory.
"BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Thailand's Restive South." BBC News - Home. BBC News, 15 July 2005. Web. 17 May 2011. .
RE: Anthony Greenfield
ReplyDeleteKate Molinari
The practice of karma does instate some good moral values, such as alms giving and donating to Buddhist temples. However, there is a flip-side. Karma not only makes people strive for nirvana through good deeds, it also leads people to accept unfortunate circumstances, since what goes around comes around. To avoid repetition, I made this point in my comment to your post.
It is absolutely true that Catholicism constitutes a small percentage of the population and is having a little effect. The programs, however, may have a stronger impact than you think. Although I did not clarify this in my post, the application of Catholic Social Teaching programs was meant to include men as well. The "participants" in the sex trade I referred to was supposed to relate to men as well. These programs can be expanded and even modified for men, and new programs can even be made. The point is to send the message of human dignity to a people in a culture that lacks it to a point. On that note, the conversion of women to Catholicism would not be insignificant. If these women live out the social teaching they receive and live out a true Catholic faith, then they will baptize their children Catholic and spread the teaching to them. While this is not an immediate fix, there will eventually be a larger population that completely believes in and supports Catholic Social Teaching.
It is true that there is an unhealthy relationship between Muslims and the Thai government. However, this does not change the fact that Islam holds solid social teaching. Unfortunately, these morals will fail to reach the people until the relationship is fixed. This website gives a list of ways the Thai government could repair its relationship with the Muslim people and end the violence with extremists: http://www.ihrc.org.uk/attachments/9673_Thailand%20UPR-oct2010.pdf
Islamic Human Rights Commission. "Thailand: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Twelfth Session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council." Islamic Human Rights Commission, 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 May 2011. .
RE: Tim Sakow
ReplyDeleteKate Molinari
Leaving sex trafficking would by no means be an easy feat for anyone involved. Many are indeed coerced into the business or find little other solution to poverty. However, where there's a will, there is most definitely a way. Finding a solution to this problem is exactly what we set out to do as a group in this paper.
According to the website MenStuff, the solution to prostitution can be found within the government. The government must first accuse the buyers in the industry. Then, there must be alternatives created for women ("Prostitution Issues")
Not only is creating alternatives something a government should do, it is also something the Catholic Church is already doing. Catholic Relief Services is an international organization based in Baltimore. More than 90% of the monetary funds it receives goes towards its programs ("Charity Review of Catholic Relief Services"); it is a very reliable source. This nonprofit NGO (nongovernmental organization) has a special sector called microfinance that "is committed to serving the very poor, especially women and vulnerable populations in remote rural communities" ("Microfinance"). This could apply directly to many situations in Thailand. They provide economic alternatives for these people and carry out all their programs according to Catholic Social Teaching ("Microfinance"). As far as the exact microfinancing programs that could be started in Thailand, we can discuss these as we prepare our solution paper.
"Microfinance." Catholic Relief Services. Web. 18 May 2011. .
"Charity Review of Catholic Relief Services." United States and Canada BBB Consumer and Business Reviews, Reports, Ratings, Complaints and Accredited Business Listings. Better Business Bureau, Aug. 2009. Web. 18 May 2011. .
"Prostitution Issues." Welcome to Men. MenStuff. Web. 17 May 2011. .
RE: Andrea Vilchez
ReplyDeleteKate Molinari
It is true that Islam is notorious for discrimination against women, but this is not necessarily true in every location and circumstance the religion is found. In Thailand's recent past, the gender differences expressed in women's clothing has not led to discrimination. In fact, it has caused Muslim women to unite in a sort of sisterhood. It has allowed them to proudly display their religion as well (Marddent).
The fact of the matter is that this unifying has happened to bring the Muslim women of Thailand together against the Thai culture in which they feel oppressed.
Thus, if situations were patched up between Thai culture and the country's Muslim population, there is the possibility that this unity might change.
As for the religion's bad rep in discriminating against women, I cannot say for sure that Islam may be corrupted in order for men to have power over women in Thailand. It is a possibility, since it is something that has happened in the past.
Marddent, Amporn. "Gendering Piety of Muslim Women." Web. 17 May 2011. .