Freedom of religion

Minerva als Symbol der Toleranz

Declaration of Human Rights

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CONGRESS COLUMN-BRUSSELS-Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram (13)

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Cross menorah Oxford 20051225

Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It also includes the freedom to change one's religion or beliefs. Freedom of religion is considered by many people and most of the nations to be a fundamental human right. In a country with a state religion, freedom of religion is generally considered to mean that the government permits religious practices of other sects besides the state religion, and does not persecute believers in other faiths.

History

Freedom of religion is a modern legal concept that has developed in the context of a long history of religious persecution. The concept can be traced back to the Greek city-states, the Roman Empire, and other early civilizations, where certain degrees of religious tolerance were practiced. However, it was not until the Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries that freedom of religion began to be formally recognized as a basic human right, culminating in its inclusion in various national constitutions and international documents, such as the United States Constitution, which includes the First Amendment, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18), adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

Legal Status

Around the world, freedom of religion is protected under various international laws and agreements. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which has been ratified by many countries, mandates that everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of one's choice, and the freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one's religion or belief in worship, observance, practice, and teaching.

Despite these protections, the reality is that many countries still impose significant restrictions on religious practices. These restrictions can range from limitations on the construction of places of worship to outright persecution of individuals for their religious beliefs.

Controversies and Challenges

The principle of freedom of religion is not without its controversies and challenges. One major issue is the conflict between freedom of religion and other rights, such as the rights of women and LGBT rights. For example, some religious practices may conflict with the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Balancing these rights is a complex and sensitive issue that requires careful consideration by lawmakers, courts, and societies.

Another challenge is the rise of religious extremism, which can lead to violence and terrorism. This has led some governments to enact laws that restrict religious practices in the name of national security. Critics argue that such laws often go too far and end up infringing on the very freedoms they are meant to protect.

See Also

• Religious tolerance
• Secularism
• Separation of church and state
• Human rights

Conclusion

Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right that is essential for a peaceful and harmonious society. It allows individuals to live according to their beliefs and promotes tolerance and understanding among different religious communities. However, achieving true freedom of religion requires constant vigilance and effort to protect this right from infringement, whether by governments, societal groups, or individuals.