The Relationship between Church and State in Myanmar under Colonial Period (1886-1948) and Democratic Government (1948-1962) Colonial Period (1886-1948) In Colonial period, the British maintained religious neutrality, that is, the separation of church and state. In May 1947, the anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPEL) held its assembly at Jubilee Hall in Yangon with 111 participants. U Ba Choe proposed Buddhism as state religion. General Aung San said, “We must draw a clear line between politics and religion because the two are not one and the same thing. If we mix religion with politics, then we offend the spirit of religion itself.” Therefore, the AFPEL made a statement, “The Union shall observe neutrality in religious matter.” Democratic Government (1948-1962) After Independence, the Sixth Buddhist Council was held in Yangon from May 1954 – May 1956, which was attended by 2478 monks from Myanmar, and 144 monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. At the close of the council, U Nu proposed Buddhism as the state religion. After the council, the Buddhists widely engaged in their mission work. Monks were sent out in the hill regions for the propagation of the Buddhist faith. New monasteries were built. U Nu formed the State Religious Advisory Commission consisting of 18 sayataws and 17 Buddhist laymen. Decision was made to present the state religion program throughout the Union within the year 1960. There were two principle objectives: 1. To ask opinions from individuals and organizations 2. To interview religious leaders personally The commission met with 300 Buddhists, 44 Christians, 33 Muslims, 33 Hindus, and 6 Animists. The Burma Council of Church (now MCC) opposed the state religion proposal and stated, “If Buddhism becomes the state religion, the government will have to take adequate measures to safeguard all the fundamental rights of the non-Buddhists.” Those who opposed the state religion proposal made arguments on five reasonable facts: 1. It was against modern democratic principles. 2. It would create two classes of citizenship. 3. It was contrary to Aung San’s conviction. 4. It was being forcibly imposed on the ethnic minorities. 5. It would disrupt national unity. The Roman Catholic Church in Myanmar did not oppose the state religion proposal. Thus, U Nu called the Roman Catholic Church as a model church in Myanmar. The statement dealing with Buddhism as the state religion was officially published in the press on August 1, 1961. Ref: Pa Yaw, “Church Under Colonial Period and Democratic Government” (Lecture, Myanmar Church History class, Myanmar Institute of Theology, Yangon, July 23, 2013).
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:35:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015