What world outrage would we see if holy men from other religions, were treated like the Burmese monks?

Question

I can imagine riots, flag burning and huge international support. I remember the outburst over a cartoon - why does the world seem to accept the murders and bloodbath and suppression? I suppose it is because they are Buddhist and all Buddhists are peaceful, therefore their supporters cannot conceive the violence shown in support of other faiths but it is sad that we can witness so much and do so little.

Answer 1

The Burmese monks showed great courage and conviction to passively demonstrate against the regime in Burma. To protest in terms of non-violent civil disobedience and passive demonstration takes far more courage, especially in the face of violence, than riots and flag burning seen elsewhere. Maybe you ought to organise a march in support of the monks in Burma and invite the media to cover it. The release of those monks who have been arrested will only be secured if the attention of the world's media is kept on Burma. As soon as the media's eye is on something else, the politicians will quietly drop the subject and the regime in Burma will be able to carry on as it likes.

Answer 2

I don't think there would be as much outrage at other religions, as Buddhism is one of the more peaceful religions, where as the likes of Islam, Catholicism and Christianity aren't.

Riots, flag burning, etc seems to be a normal irrational repsonse from the Muslims over anything that questions their religion - doesn't make it right however!

The world has accpeted bloodbaths from religions over thousands of years, now the politicians are trying it.

Its all sick and should be stopped. My heart goes out to the people of Burma (or Myanmar). Lets hope they have a peaceful result from all this.

Answer 3

I don't agree with you as far as the world accepting how those Buddhist monks were treated. I think most of us are outraged and appalled at it, and we don't accept it. But as those monks themselves would probably tell you, you don't counter violence with more violence. Huge international support can take other, more productive forms, other than riots and flag burning. Those actions don't really help anyone's cause, and actually turn people off.

Answer 4

What do you suggest? I agree with you completely and I cannot think how this could be resolved. It would be totally inappropriate to mount a military campaign, sanctions hurt only the general population and the military are not going to listen to the UN. The monks are engaged in their own struggle - they know the risk and the likely outcome. The best way to support the monks is to be like them. Find out about buddhism and how it can inform your life. Support the monks in your heart with love. And forgive those that seek to oppress them because they don't know any better.

Answer 5

Buddhists will engage in the non-violent confrontation that is occurring, not just sit back and watch as their peers get repressed. Physical retaliation is not the only way to respond, and I'm sure Buddhists (and many of us who sympathise with their plight) are doing their part to resist the subjugation of the people.

How many petitions have you signed, demonstrations attended, letters written and boycotts followed? All of these things have power that increases exponentially with each person that uses them, and while it might not feel like much in isolation, every instance of them makes the others stronger. Political activism is a powerful tool as long as everyone has the courage to keep going in the face of challenges.

Answer 6

Yeah, imagine if the Vatican got attacked. Catholics around the world would unite and protest and cause riots and what not. Instead, we just seem to ignore the fates of these peaceful monks who have done nothing to deserve their treatment. It's really sad. I wish there was something i could do.

Answer 7

the united nations has sent a special envoy to myanmar, what else do you suppose could be done?

as long as china backs the burmese junta (or even tolerates it) no other country can intervene in the area. the best supporters of the burmese people can do is to bring pressure on china to change its position (and this is being done).

doing stupid things - even well-intentioned stupid things - can only make matters worse. think of baghdad and kabul.

Answer 8

I've being answering a lot of questions like this........

Religion is the cause of most war.
The whole world should be lead by one person. We would be so technologically advanced that we would be living on other planets by now, there would be no famine in places like Ethiopia, no mass slaughters or genocides which go on all over the world. Humans are the cancer of the planet, we breed and breed, the natural resources are running out eventually our children's children will have a lot worse things to deal with when we are all dead the next generation will be in turmoil, the world has became a very unstable place.

Answer 9

As unjust as it often appears, the squeaky wheel does gets the oil.

Muslims get their way because their violence and threats are very persuasive, and most are intimidated. Your point is well taken. Indeed its a sad inditement on our sorry state. Would any "God" allow such a disparity?

Answer 10

Its money and political correctness. Humanism is rife in western societies, and we tolerate all this stuff because our greed for free trade agreements. We might not use sticks against our religious leaders in the west, but we still find ways to rob them of freedom.