New Faith Advisors Announced - but no Buddhists
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By Chris Ward in Politics and economy Published: Monday, 11 January 10 - 03:56 PM (GMT) Last Updated: Monday, 08 March 10 - 11:59 AM (GMT) |
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Appointment of new faith advisers by John Denham
The Communities Secretary announced on the 6th Jan the appointment of thirteen faith advisors to a new faith adviser panel who will act as 'a 'sounding board' to advise on effective engagement with faith communities, and the impact of Communities and Local Government policy on faith communities.'
The announcement can be read in full at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1426032
The new advisory group includes representatives from five of the six major faiths, but appears contains no Buddhist.
Given the fine sentiments expressed in the announcement on expanding communication channels with faith communities and learning 'from the unique insights that faith groups bring to contemporary issues', it seems very unfortunate that Buddhism has been excluded.
However, from the list of appointees it seems that the focus, as in most such exercises, is on the larger faith groups.
And of course, the Buddhist community is not alone in its exclusion; other excluded groups include the minority faiths and the thirteen and a half million that expressed no religion or did not answer the religious question on the last census. This represents around 25% of the British population.
It looks especially embarrasing to the Communities and Local Government (CLG) department that at the same time that religious and faith groups are being asked for their opinion of the Single Equalities Scheme, one aim of which is to ensure that minority faith groups are fully included in civic life, the CLG act in a discriminatory way against Buddhism and other minority faiths. (See here for details of the Single Equalities Scheme http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/987402.pdf and its priorities). The CLG clearly needs to pay more than just lip service to its Single Equalities Scheme.
The purpose of the new advisory panel is not entirely clear, nor its relationship to the existing Faith Communities Consultative Council. Perhaps a cynic might think that establishing such groups is an easy way to curry favour with religious groups as we approach a general election.
But if there is a serious intent to communicate with those having alternative and constructive views on society, the omission of a Buddhist voice excludes a valuable perspective. Buddhism has managed to combine a pragmatic, effective and rational teaching with a clear transcendent purpose. Buddhist communities are usually peaceful and productive and Buddhism has a lot to offer at this time when religion in general has a poor and declining reputation in the UK.
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| We can kill for democracy | Gus Hales | 01/21/10 |
| Are we wanting too much? | Lotus | 03/26/10 |
Religion?
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Chris Ward | 04/12/10 |
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Top | Reply to this Title: We can kill for democracy Author: Gus Hales Date Posted: 21 Jan 2010 10:46 PM (GMT) Hi Chris, Very interesting post. Strange how our government is quite prepared to have Buddhist chaplains in the Armed forces so that Buddhists can fight and perhaps die for our democratic freedoms. But when it comes to having a voice in our communities then its, sorry but we do not take you seriously.
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Top | Reply to this Title: Are we wanting too much? Author: Lotus Date Posted: 26 Mar 2010 02:06 PM (GMT) Yes, it's an extremely interesting topic. But it's a confusing one since most Buddhists will tell you that Buddhism is not a religion & not a faith. So by seeking inclusion in some areas perhaps we are wanting too much. Many Buddhists themselves are confused on this subject so we can expect others to be confused also & perhaps it is a form of politeness for them not to include us rather than "insult us"! Remember that on her tv programme about Tibet, Sue Johnson said that Buddha is the god which Buddhists worship and pray to. As long as this confusion continues I believe it's pointless to complain. I'm wondering if this subject can be addressed from a new angle? Or perhaps because Buddhists are a tiny minority we could be grouped with other small minority groups as "Other".
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Top | Reply to this Title: Religion? Author: Chris Ward 
(http://www.triplegem.com/)Date Posted: 12 Apr 2010 09:38 AM (GMT) Well, some Buddhists might claim that Buddhism is not a religion and not a faith, but this begs the question of what these terms mean. I agree that there is a great deal of confusion about what is meant by religion and faith and that many of the attitudes brought to mind by these words are not good ones and do not fit with the Buddha's teachings. However, if one looks at the diversity of Buddhism it is obvious that many of its manifestations, particularly in Mahayana traditions, look very much like religions, with devotional practices, gods, elaborate rituals, priests, ceremonies and the like. (So actually Sue Johnson was not far wrong in what she said.) Even those Buddhist traditions that have less of these overtly religious trappings seem to occupy the same space in people's lives that religions fill. So, quite rightly, UK institutions (local and central government, education and so on) recognise Buddhism as one of the six major world religions that are represented in Britain. And having been afforded this position it is up to us (those practising and/or inspired by the Buddhist path) to respond and take responisbility for engaging with civic groups and our fellow citizens. If the path of awakening is of value surely it can be spoken about and shared and we would hope that it might influence the society we live in at both a micro level in the daily lives and practical concerns of individuals and at a macro level in the policies adopted by civic groups? And hopefully Buddhist voices will continue to exemplify reason, generosity, virtue and a concern for the common good, rather than expressing the demanding, sectarian and dogmatic attitudes that are so often linked with religion today. best wishes Chris |
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