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Post by Bonobo on Apr 30, 2008 19:12:26 GMT 1
the gov may be by majority but it is in place to protect the minorities; since Abe anyway. Well, I have been thinking a little about sth. Catholicism isn`t a state religion by Polish constitution, but it often looks as if it was. I see it everyday in my area. In my school crosses hang in classrooms, all classes go to church on various occasions, last week when there was a preregrinating picture the school and all other state buildings were decorated with flags and paper ornaments. The same things happen everywhere else, except for areas where Orthodox or Protestant believers constitute majority. Well, it certainly might disturb people who don`t believe or have another religion. Is it correct when the catholic majority imposes their rule over the minority? Shouldn`t the minority be protected? One day Leslie said that it is unthinkable in the UK to have one major religion which dominates everything. But, there are many religions in the UK as well as the USA. It is obvious that one cannot dominate the others, because it wouldn`t be democratic. But in Poland? We also have democracy, and democracy means that the majority rules. If most people in Poland are Catholic and believe such practices as sending students to church to greet the Holy Picture are natural, then it is OK. Yes, I agree, it would be damaging if anyone was forced to perform Catholic rituals against his/her will. In my school there is tolerance - when students ask to be excused from catholic ceremonies, they are allowed to leave. I can also see how other religions are allowed to keep their faith - they build new temples or churches, for example. All in all, I have nothing against Catholic religion`s dominating presence in practically all spheres of life in Poland. This situation has been created and is supported by most Poles. |
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Post by jeanne on Apr 30, 2008 23:49:04 GMT 1
Well, if the truth is to be told, this is one of the greatest attractions of Poland for me. I would love to live in a culture that is as Catholic as Poland's.
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Post by locopolaco on May 1, 2008 1:47:23 GMT 1
italy.  a wee bit less strict.  |
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Post by jeanne on May 1, 2008 1:57:30 GMT 1
italy. a wee bit less strict. True, but there is that strong pull of my Polish heritage influencing me also. But I might settle for Italy! ;D |
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Post by locopolaco on May 1, 2008 2:11:54 GMT 1
that's the idea but technically inaccurate. in the last US election 100mill people voted.. total.. the most ever... out of 300mill americans.. now only about half those people voted for the prez. so, by simple math 50mill/300mill DOES NOT = 1/2. i'm sure the percentage is higher in PL but not over 50% of the population. so, minority actually rules.. you just have to watch witch one because some are nutty.. look at the USA now for an example. anyway, i think, even in PL one of the government's jobs is to protect minorities. but the situation there is completely different then in the US or GB or other commonwealths. is sounds like the school you work at is about right. i think tolerance is paramount in life if it is to be good, happy and full. i have no issue with customs (catholic or just polish) being taught in school but i think more exposure to different things/ideas is a good thing. catholicism has plaid a major role in polish politics in the 20th century and prior (and probably got PL through the different hardships) so some of these things are understandable but i still think it is a good thing to have separation of state and church as the dangers of the lack of such understanding are too great. just look in some of the 'troubles' 3rd world countries to see the proof that it is a good thing to keep those two things apart. |
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Post by locopolaco on May 1, 2008 2:22:26 GMT 1
Italy is nice.. many Poles there too.
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Post by jkustelski on May 1, 2008 3:14:43 GMT 1
I visited Northern Italy when I was younger, it really is a beautiful place and the people were very nice.
Jim
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Post by Bonobo on May 3, 2008 21:23:29 GMT 1
that's the idea but technically inaccurate. in the last US election 100mill people voted.. total.. the most ever... out of 300mill americans.. now only about half those people voted for the prez. so, by simple math 50mill/300mill DOES NOT = 1/2. i'm sure the percentage is higher in PL but not over 50% of the population. No, it isn`t higher. The percentage was the same when Kaczyński was elected the President. 56% voted for him, at the 60% attendance. But that`s still democracy. We can`t be concerned about people who don`t go voting - it is their business. But they have no right to complain afterwards about the politics in their country. I didn`t vote for Kaczyński, I was in the other 50% who voted for his rival, Tusk, in 2006. Yet, I acnowledged the result. I have never thought of taking a few Molotov thingytails and going to Warsaw to protest and overthrow the President whom I don`t like. Nutty, you say. But Bush still has 30% support from Americans. Are they all nutty??? Or they just have a different opinion than the other 70% on what the American President should do? Yes, protect the minorities so that they are not forced to give up their beliefs. At the same time the majority must be protected too, so that they can celebrate their beliefs freely. I think we have achieved this balance in our school. Yes, exactly, you hit the nail now. More exposure to a wider perspective is a good thing and will certainly produce more aware citizens of this country. There is such a seperation and Poland isn`t a denominational state. E.g., priests are respected by people (in general) but they are treated by law the same as others. |
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Post by locopolaco on May 3, 2008 22:23:07 GMT 1
that's the idea but technically inaccurate. in the last US election 100mill people voted.. total.. the most ever... out of 300mill americans.. now only about half those people voted for the prez. so, by simple math 50mill/300mill DOES NOT = 1/2. i'm sure the percentage is higher in PL but not over 50% of the population. No, it isn`t higher. The percentage was the same when Kaczyński was elected the President. 56% voted for him, at the 60% attendance. But that`s still democracy. We can`t be concerned about people who don`t go voting - it is their business. But they have no right to complain afterwards about the politics in their country. I didn`t vote for Kaczyński, I was in the other 50% who voted for his rival, Tusk, in 2006. Yet, I acnowledged the result. I have never thought of taking a few Molotov thingytails and going to Warsaw to protest and overthrow the President whom I don`t like. Nutty, you say. But Bush still has 30% support from Americans. Are they all nutty??? Or they just have a different opinion than the other 70% on what the American President should do? Yes, protect the minorities so that they are not forced to give up their beliefs. At the same time the majority must be protected too, so that they can celebrate their beliefs freely. I think we have achieved this balance in our school. Yes, exactly, you hit the nail now. More exposure to a wider perspective is a good thing and will certainly produce more aware citizens of this country. There is such a seperation and Poland isn`t a denominational state. E.g., priests are respected by people (in general) but they are treated by law the same as others. i think you and i think/see things similarly.  yup, nutty.. every single one of them. how else would you describe support for the tomfoolery called shrub? |
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