US Veteran Fund leader: Vietnam’s religious practices “very open”
An American Veteran who has lived in Vietnam for nearly 10 years said that he saw no problem with the tolerance for religious practices in the country, in a recent interview.
"Religious practices in Vietnam are very open and are thriving", stressed Chuck Searcy, Vice President of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).
As an American who has lived and worked in Vietnam for about 10 years, Chuck Searcy’s observations and experience are that “not only is there great religious freedom, but also the number of religious groups is growing bigger all the time, and the number of churches and places of worship are also increasing."
Outsiders inaccurate
He therefore does not agree with the opinion of some Americans who “may not know much about life in Vietnam, but who accuse Vietnam of not allowing religious freedoms.”
"I heard about some problems in parts of Vietnam, in the Central Highland for example, where critics accuse the Vietnamese government of oppressing religions. Although I don't know the facts and the details about the situation, what I have seen when I have gone to the Central Highland myself, is also a lot of religious activities, and many churches, including Protestant Churches. So at least, from looking at the situation as a foreigner, it appears to be very normal and very active," he said.
"If there is a problem in Vietnam, and it is possible because nearly every country has small problems with religious groups or other activities, even in the US, it seems to me that the Vietnamese are much more likely to review the situation and take some positive action if the discussion from outside is constructive and helpful,” the Vietnam War veteran said.
“But if another country wants to punish Vietnam based on their own idea about what is happening with religion inside Vietnam, then I think it's negative and it's not helpful at all," he stressed, adding "Then I think the government and the Vietnamese people will resist. It's just like, it's not your business, it's up to us."
Vietnam News Agency, March 17, 2005
