Adria

 

Freedom of conscience and  religion

International facts

 

In the modern age the contributions from great thinkers as Roger Williams (1603-1683) and John Locke (1632-1704) were undoubtedly crucial: they started to spread the idea that whoever states that his own religion is the only true one and denies equal freedom to other religions deeply offends the “outer capacity” of individual conscience.

With the terms “outer capacity” they meant the private and public places where freedom of religion can be expressed. According to Locke, in order to protect freedom of religion two conditions are needed: 1) laws which do not provide for any penalties related to religious faiths and observances; 2)laws which provide for equal conditions towards citizens-subjects as regards religion.

Between the 18th and the 19th century the tradition of freedom of conscience was openly and directly against the idea of a state religion; in 1785,one of the most lively representatives of such thought, James Madison, expressed his indignation against a proposed religious tax which would benefit the Anglican Church more than the other religions in the state of Virginia.

During the 20th century different relations between state and Church have established in the Western world: in some national states the religion followed by the greater part of the country has been actually favoured; in other countries the State has acquired a sort of indifference to all the different religions practiced within its borders.

In recent decades the state laws have recognized that the belonging of an individual to any religion must never be a discrimining factor; even atheism has been considered  an option of freedom of conscience.

 

 

From the 2002 report on human rights in the world

By Bob van den Bos

 

“Freedom of religion and belief, also referred to as “religious freedom”, is enshrined in a number of post-war International covenants. In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 it is defined as “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion” and such a right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. It also implies the right not to confess any religion.

This fundamental human right is of vital importance for more than 90% of the world’s population who are considered to be believers in one way or another. It is in the interests of all religions, all societies and cultures that these rights can be exercised freely.

Although most nations have committed themselves to the relevant International covenants, these are frequently not applied in practice and their universal validity is being challenged.

The freedom of religion or belief is not only of utmost importance for the individual human being, as a basis for self-understanding and identity, but also for society as a whole. Violation of religious freedom usually creates strong tensions in society that easily can lead to violent confrontations. On the other hand, respect of freedom of religion gives room for criticism within religious communities on the compatibility of their religious beliefs and customs with other human rights. In this way, religious extremism in its violent expression can more effectively be counteracted from within a religious group.”

 

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