FURTHER to my column last week on gambling, I was surprised to read in Bloomberg on Jan. 26 that "[m]any Thais disapprove casino, online gambling plans, poll shows." What sensible, ethical and mature people. Sixty-nine percent disapprove of legalized online gambling, and 59 percent disagree with investments in both casinos and entertainment complexes. Theravada Buddhism seems to take a more ethical but less judgmental view than command mentality Catholicism. That is my take on the contrast with our views on gambling. Perhaps believing in reincarnation versus eternal life is a factor as well. Believing that one's future lives also depend on what you do in this life makes one take a more critical and ethical view rather than follow what I am told to go up rather than down in eternal life.
On sex education and awareness, just like with the divorce bill, I think we are being gaslighted by many of the religious Taliban. Sadly, many of our decision-makers are losing their courage, though, in my view, many know better. I respect the sincerely held views of everyone, even those I completely disagree with. What I detest and condemn are the lies and outright misrepresentations used in defending what I consider their out-of-date and harmful views. Our religious Taliban probably have the same view of me that I have of them, but I do my best to anchor my views on facts and reason. You can disagree with me on my view and interpretation, but I am not exaggerating, lying or condemning terms or provisions that are not what are being proposed or blatant distortions of them.
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