DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Should Buddhists Be More Socially Engaged?

**Qdkczrdi** · 07-06-2012, 10:17 AM

When physicists do extensive research on the inner workings of the material universe few ever say "should physicists be more socially engaged, like them biologists?"

That's a good point, nobody would expect physicists and biologists to be socially engaged just because they are physicists and biologists, their research generates benefits for society and that is enough.

By the same token should we expect religions to be socially engaged? isn't their teaching and support on how to live a better life enough of a benefit to society?

Social engagement is the job of governments, NGO's, and aid etc organistations setup for the purpose. I think the reason we think it's also the job of religion is that some Christian denominations put emphasis on social engagement, this leads us to expect all religion to do the same.

07-06-2012, 10:17 AM	#27
Qdkczrdi Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 505 Senior Member	When physicists do extensive research on the inner workings of the material universe few ever say "should physicists be more socially engaged, like them biologists?" That's a good point, nobody would expect physicists and biologists to be socially engaged just because they are physicists and biologists, their research generates benefits for society and that is enough. By the same token should we expect religions to be socially engaged? isn't their teaching and support on how to live a better life enough of a benefit to society? Social engagement is the job of governments, NGO's, and aid etc organistations setup for the purpose. I think the reason we think it's also the job of religion is that some Christian denominations put emphasis on social engagement, this leads us to expect all religion to do the same.
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