Post by kingcobra on Jul 15, 2007 10:59:03 GMT -6
Since religion plays such an important role in human society, it needs to be accountable. Any religion that engages in activities that are not beneficial to its adherents is deserving of censure. The separation of church and state, albeit an ingenious and wise innovation on the part of the US founding fathers, has not created a utopia. Corrupt religious leaders have time and again finessed the system to serve their sinister plans via using the freedoms guaranteed to religious organizations in the US Constitution. Government has failed the people in this regard. Although oversight of religious organizations is a delicate issue, its necessity is undeniable. The major problem is preventing any government agency charged with the task of such oversight from playing favorites or discriminating against minority faiths. Another problem is coming up with procedures that are fair and that do not interfere with individual freedoms.
Preventing religious leaders from engaging in illegal acts is essential, but it is also necessary to prevent them from other abusive behavior that may not be so easily indictable under the federal and state statutes. Perhaps forcing anyone aspiring to lead a congregation to submit to psychological testing is the best solution. That testing could even be a requirement as part of their education in the ministry, in other words leave it up to the religious organization to screen its own leaders with such testing. After all it is to their own advantage, since they do not desire either misbehavior on the part of their leaders or the public scandals that can result.
Caitanya Vaishnavism appears to have done a commendable job of keeping its leaders in line via peer pressure. Just to be clear, I am not referring to IGM as part of the sect. They have their own independent doctrines and practices, although there is some degree of overlap with Caitanya Vaishnavism. Still, having a good track record for five centuries does not preclude the possibility of misdeeds on the part of any Caitanyaite guru or sAdhu. Certainly anyone here would agree that they would not like to see the public image of CV tarnished by any scandals.
Just as politicians are held accountable by the voters, religion needs need to be held accountable by their own congregations and by society at large.
Preventing religious leaders from engaging in illegal acts is essential, but it is also necessary to prevent them from other abusive behavior that may not be so easily indictable under the federal and state statutes. Perhaps forcing anyone aspiring to lead a congregation to submit to psychological testing is the best solution. That testing could even be a requirement as part of their education in the ministry, in other words leave it up to the religious organization to screen its own leaders with such testing. After all it is to their own advantage, since they do not desire either misbehavior on the part of their leaders or the public scandals that can result.
Caitanya Vaishnavism appears to have done a commendable job of keeping its leaders in line via peer pressure. Just to be clear, I am not referring to IGM as part of the sect. They have their own independent doctrines and practices, although there is some degree of overlap with Caitanya Vaishnavism. Still, having a good track record for five centuries does not preclude the possibility of misdeeds on the part of any Caitanyaite guru or sAdhu. Certainly anyone here would agree that they would not like to see the public image of CV tarnished by any scandals.
Just as politicians are held accountable by the voters, religion needs need to be held accountable by their own congregations and by society at large.