Bhutan’s Royalists fear Christianity will Create Tension
Anugrah Kumar (pro-Christian "Compass Direct News")
THIMPHU, Bhutan — Bars, pubs, and discos have become legal in Bhutan -- a cause of concern for the older generation. But construction of worship buildings other than Buddhist or Hindu temples is still prohibited. The prohibition remains in force even though Christians [who make up less than half of one percent of Bhutan's tiny total population] abide by Bhutan's codes of conduct, speaking the Dzongkha language as well as the Nepali language at church gatherings and wearing the national dress.
The National Assembly of Bhutan banned the practice of non-Buddhist and non-Hindu religions through edicts in 1969 and in 1979. But Christians do meet for Sunday worship [nevertheless].
- Bhutan invited Christian teachers
Bhutan, which promoted Buddhism and Hinduism and detered Christianity in the past, allegedly sought support from the mission of Bibles of the World to provide 500 teachers to teach English, maths, and science, according to Christian news group MNonline.org.
Why are Christians seen as a greater threat to the culture of the nation than the "democracy disco culture," as one government official described the emerging subculture among the Bhutanese youth? It is believed that Christianity will create religious tensions in the country. More>>
"Prayer File" on Bhutan: Bhutan is the only country in the world to have adopted Mahayana Buddhism in its Tantric form as its official religion. The word "Tantrism" comes from Tantras, the name of a body of esoteric Indian texts divided into four groups: tantras of action, behavior, yoga, and tantras without any superiors. Tantric Buddhism came to Bhutan in the 8th century. Today Bhutan's population of about 600,000 is over 70% Buddhist. Hindus constitute 24%. Protestant Christians make up only 0.3%. Christian worship in public and evangelism are prohibited.
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