STATEMENTS FROM MAJOR RELIGIONS
Since World War II, not only governments but the dominant religions of Western Europe have issued policy statements in favour of religious freedom. While these do not have the force of law, they establish guidelines which representatives of the predominant religions must abide by in their relations with other religious bodies.
Among the most important are the 1948 “Declaration on Religious Liberty” by the First Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), consisting of the major Protestant religions in Europe. It declared that:
“An essential element in a good international order is freedom of religion. This is an implication of the Christian faith and of the worldwide nature of Christianity. Christians, therefore, view the question of religious faith as an international problem. They are concerned that religious freedom be everywhere secured. In pleading for this freedom, they do not ask for any privilege to be extended to Christians that is denied to others.... The rights of religious freedom herein declared shall be recognised and observed for all persons without distinction as to race, colour, sex, language or religion, and without imposition of disabilities by virtue of legal provisions or administrative acts.”
These principles were elaborated on extensively in the declaration and reinforced at subsequent WCC Assemblies.
The other major branch of Christianity – the Roman Catholic Church – communicated its official stance towards religious freedom in the Vatican Council II statement, “A Declaration of Religious Freedom.” It states that:
“The Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. The freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, nor is anyone to be restrained from acting in accordance with his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.”
Another major religious influence on Europe is Islam. In recent years, Moslems have increasingly been subject to discrimination often justified by stereotyping of Islam as vengeful and intolerant of other faiths. The Holy Book of Islam, the Qur’an, is clear on the importance of granting to the individual freedom of conscience: “There is no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from Error.”
There is thus no shortage of international laws and guidelines to protect your right to religious freedom. What about the laws of your own country?
| Previous | Glossary | Contents | Next |
| Your View | Related Sites | Home page |
humanrightsofficer@scientology.org
© 1999-2004 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.