[Buddha-l] David Lynch and Paul McCartney promote TM in schools

[Alex Wilding]

I am not an expert in this field, but the comments below surprise me.
Those of us with a cultural centre of gravity in Europe are often horrified at the close involvement of religion in the American state - god is on the dollar, and in the pledge of allegiance, for goodness' sake. Personally I think allegiance to god should, if not disqualify, certainly weigh heavily against someone standing for public office, on grounds of conflict of loyalty - but that's not a popular view, I know.

It's true that officially the C of E is the state religion of the UK, though the Archbish of Canterbury has, I believe, been suggesting that this unholy anachronism should go. I'd be very surprised indeed if the government subsidises the C of E - surely most of its money comes from property? Do you have any data on that? I think it's true that German state supports churches, but only, as far as I know, through the Kirchensteuer, which is voluntary. When I worked there I, of course, opted out.

As for France, separation of church and state (laïcité) is pursued much more vigorously than in what I know of America (or the UK for that matter, of course).
                                    
All the best
Alex Wilding

> -----Original Message-----
> From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com [mailto:buddha-l-
> bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Kdorje at aol.com
> Sent: Thursday, 29 January 2009 6:07 AM
> To: buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
> Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] David Lynch and Paul McCartney promote TM in schools
> 
> 
> Many forget, or are not aware, that separation of church and state as a
> central foundation of government is, if not unique to the US, the US  is one of
> the very few countries where it has the importance that it does.   In the UK and
> most other European countries the governments financially support  the
> various religions, and religious beliefs are taught in public (that is,
> governmentally funded) schools as religion, not as a social science.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Konchog Dorje
>