Ceasar's choice

By crushing the "Saffron Revolution", led by Buddhist monks, the Burmese junta claimed for Ceasar what belonged to God. But how does the right to freedom of worship fare in other Southeast Asian countries?

The track record is mixed in rendering to God what is not Ceasar's, says the 2007 International Religious Freedom report. It ranges from free in Buddhist Thailand, Christian Philippines to improving in socialist Vietnam.

"Even in the best of circumstances…it cannot be stated categorically that any government fully respected this right," cautions this annual US State Department report. But some countries did better than others.

Constitutions of most Asean countries stitch in provisions on freedom of worship -- except Burma. The generals are in no hurry to restore the charter they scrapped in 1988.

But next-door Thailand allows "the generally free practice of religion." About 94 percent of Thais are Buddhists and five percent Muslims. There've been "no reports of societal abuses based on religious belief." In four of the five southern provinces, separatist violence is causing tense relations between Buddhist and Muslim communities. Brunei's constitution states: the country's religion is Muslim "according to the Shafi'i sect."

"The country's various religious groups coexist peacefully." But Brunei clamps restrictions on non-Shafi'i religious practice. Christianity is a no-no in schools but Muslim students get voluntary Islamic instruction. Laws, financial incentives to mosque construction promote official Islam.

Malaysia's constitution recognizes Islam as "the religion of the Federation." About 60 percent of Malaysians are Muslims. Policies lump economic and educational preferences for ethnic Malays who are legally categorized as Muslims at birth. Political parties hew to ethnic and religious lines.

Non-Muslims may worship as they see fit. But restrictions hem them in. Distribution of Malay-language Christian literature, in Peninsular Malaysia, is forbidden. Muslims may not convert to another religion. Non-Muslims must convert to Islam, if they'd marry a Muslim.

Kuala Lumpur's Federal Court is reviewing complaints where children, born of non-Muslims converts or who married in churches or temples, were forcibly taken, by Islamic religious authorities, from parents. They're returned after religious "rehabilitation" of the "deviating" parent.

In Singapore, "there were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice." About 85 out of every 100 Singaporeans "profess some religious faith." Majority ( 51 percent) are Buddhists. Muslims and Christians make up 30 percent.

Speech or actions which government deems "adversely affect racial or religious harmony" are curbed. Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church have been banned but foreign missionaries work unhindered.

Vietnam made jerky but steady progress in broadening respect for religious practice. Under it's 2004 "Ordinance on Religion and Belief," new churches were registered throughout the 64 provinces. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung met Pope Benedict XVI in January 2007 on further easing of curbs.

But registration of Protestant congregations and Catholic seminaries suffered, bureaucratic delays, etc. "Nevertheless, most religious groups reported improved conditions…And "Vietnamese citizens practice religion more freely."

Although Jakarta recognizes only six major religions, most Indonesians, "enjoyed a high degree of religious freedom ( and ) the public generally respected religious freedom." Over 88 percent of 245 million Indonesians are Muslims. Christians make up nine percent. Government sometimes glosses over discrimination and abuse of minority religious groups. "Instances of extremists attempting to terrorize members of other religions occurred in certain provinces… Many perpetrators….were not brought to justice." Government didn't flex constitutional authority to overturn local laws that abrogated rights of women and religious minorities.

The Philippines "generally respected its constitutional provision on freedom of religion." Majority are Catholics between five and nine percent of Filipinos are Muslims. Most are Sunnis, with a sprinkling of Shi'a believers. An estimated 12 million and 16 million belong to indigenous groups who mix their native religious creeds with Christian practices. The Muslim minority have been discriminated against by some Christians. Wide economic and social disparities, between Muslim provinces and other parts of the country "contribute to persistent conflict," even as peace talks continue.

Conversion of Christians to Islam is most typical among ( those) who worked in an Islamic country. "(This is largely because conversion brings social and economic benefits while abroad. Many of these "converts of convenience" remain Muslims upon their return and are known collectively as "Balik Islam" ("return to Islam")."

Asean's mixed track record must be measured against standards that member-countries have adopted. Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, for example, provides: "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion."

That calls for an end of brutality, whether Burmese tatmadaw beating monks or Abu Sayyaf beheading fallen marines in the name of Islam. The more subtle denials, whether by economic pressure or laws, that lock out other faiths, remain to be rooted out..

In Asean, the "four freedoms" -- worship, speech, assembly, and the press - remain elusive but valid ideals.*

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