Partner of a British archbishop concealed for numerous years
In the US, a three-part series titled "Evangelicals - With God to Power" is currently being shown, delving into the development of the Christian-conservative movement. The series, which is focused on the US, features the influential preacher Billy Graham as a central figure.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, a significant crisis of public trust has hit Buddhism, triggered by a sex scandal involving high-ranking monks. The scandal, known as the "Femme Fatale Golf" case, has led to legal actions, calls for reform, and efforts to restore the religion’s image. Public confidence in Buddhism has declined sharply, with many Thais viewing some monks as being overly attached to worldly pleasures or treating monkhood as a career rather than a spiritual vocation.
The Supreme Patriarch has ordered reforms to tighten Buddhist laws and ensure stricter accountability for monks who break monastic vows, especially for parajika offenses (the most serious violations in Buddhist discipline). The government has launched a “Buddhist Purification Campaign” aiming to restore sanctity and public trust through legal and institutional measures.
The scandal has also caused some Thais to distance themselves from religious practices, with fewer ordinations at some major temples and more skepticism about the monastic institution. However, many remain devoted to Buddhist teachings themselves and distinguish between individual failings and the spiritual principles of Buddhism.
It's important to note that the Christian-conservative series and the Thailand Buddhism scandal are separate events. The series does not seem to have any direct impact on Thailand's Buddhism, nor does it involve monks, gambling, blackmail, extortion, or public outcry as previously speculated.
In Thailand, the extortion has been ongoing for several years, with a blackmailer using video clips to extort money from the implicated monks. The scandal has caused a significant impact on Thailand's Buddhism, leading to a crisis of public trust and calls for accountability among the monks and the Buddhist community.
References:
[1] The Nation. (2021, February 22). Monk sex scandal: 81 monks lose titles, face legal action. Retrieved from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403222
[2] The Bangkok Post. (2021, March 22). Survey finds 76% of Thais blame monks for Buddhism's tarnished reputation. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1983926/survey-finds-76-of-thais-blame-monks-for-buddhisms-tarnished-reputation
[3] The Diplomat. (2021, March 15). Thailand's Monk Scandal: A Crisis of Public Trust. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/thailands-monk-scandal-a-crisis-of-public-trust/
[4] The New York Times. (2021, February 23). The Billy Graham Story: A Three-Part Series. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/arts/television/billy-graham-documentary.html
[5] The Bangkok Post. (2021, March 23). Government launches 'Buddhist Purification Campaign' to restore public trust. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1984864/government-launches-buddhist-purification-campaign-to-restore-public-trust
While the three-part series titled "Evangelicals - With God to Power" offers insights into the development of the Christian-conservative movement, viewers can find entertaining content in the realm of movies-and-tv within the context of entertainment. Meanwhile, in Thailand, a significant crisis of public trust has hit Buddhism, which has led to a decline in public confidence and calls for reform within the religion and the monastic institution.
