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Religious freedom

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About religious freedom:

Unfortunately, theologians, clergy, and laity are notorious for using common words and phrases to mean very different things. Many believers are certain that there is only one correct meaning to these terms -- the one that they use! Two examples are the definition of who can legitimately call themselves a Christian and the definition of what a religion is.

On this web site, we define religious freedom as follows:

Religious freedom means that an individual or group can:

	Without oppression, believe, worship and witness (or practice freedom from belief, worship and witness), as they wish;
	Change their beliefs or religion at any time; and
	Associate with others to express their beliefs. 1

With the arrival of the new millennium, religious freedom seems to be gradually changing its meaning. When it is discussed in the media today, it usually refers to the freedom for an individual, clergyperson, or denomination to express condemnation, exclusion, denigration, oppression, and/or hatred towards other individuals or groups. Religious freedom used to mean freedom of belief; now its meaning is transforming to mean the freedom to hate others.

About religious tolerance: what it is and isn't:

Religious tolerance is a term that it tied closely to religious freedom. If a society extends tolerance to followers of all religions -- and to followers of no religion -- then everyone will probably enjoy religious freedom. "Religious tolerance," as it is most commonly defined, means that people:

Extend religious freedom to people of all religious traditions, even though they probably disagree with most of their beliefs and/or practices.

This definition does not require a person or group to:

	Accept all religions as equally true.
	Avoid comparing the beliefs and practices of different religions or faith groups.
	Avoid criticizing actions, statements, and policies of religious groups when they harm others.

Thomas Jefferson expressed religious tolerance when he said: ?...it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.?.

A common definition used by some fundamentalist and other evangelical Christians is that to be religiously tolerant means that one must accept all religions as equally true. As a result, "religious tolerance" has a very negative connotation to many religious conservatives while it has a very positive meaning to others.

This section links to essays on the following topics:

	The transition occurring in religious freedom: The transition from freedom of belief to the freedom to discriminate
	Status of religious freedom: The U.S. government vs. individual religious freedom Decline of religious freedom in Europe Freedom House report on religious freedom Religious freedom and the year 2000 presidential candidates Lack of religious freedom in France Changing one's religion from Islam to another faith (Irtidad) Religious clothing and jewelry in U.S. public schools Canadian religious groups' freedom to discriminate against same-sex marriage
	Statements, speeches, petitions, etc. on Religious Freedom and Tolerance: Excerpts: Excerpts of statements on religious freedom   In the United States: Guaranteeing personal religious freedom Petition to regain and preserve religious freedom Williamsburg Charter on the First Amendment (1988) U.N. report on religious freedom in the U.S. (1998) Speech by President Clinton on religious freedom (1995) Proclamation on diversity and tolerance in Cedar Rapids, IA. Personal pledge of support for religious freedom   International: Declaration of a Global Ethic (1993) Excerpts from "The Principles of a Global Ethic" Statement by UNESCO, on the "Year of Tolerance" (1995) Statement by Pope John Paul II on the World Day of Peace, (1996) Statement by the U.S. on freedom of religion in Europe (1999) The Amman Declaration (1999) concerning the Middle East The Geneva Spiritual Appeal (1999) on an end to religious conflict
	Bills, laws and regulations guaranteeing, limiting, or promoting religious freedom: 1777 Thomas Jefferson's bill for religious freedom in Virginia 1786 Virginia's "Act for Establishing Religious Freedom" The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Religious freedom restoration acts Workplace Religious Freedom Act * U.S. "Freedom from Religious Persecution Act" Religious rights within the US military Excerpts of laws guaranteeing religious freedom
	Other topics: Links to web sites dealing with religious freedom Brief quotations about tolerance Reducing religion-inspired religious conflicts Religious tolerance and freedom chain letter Constitutional amendment on religious freedom & compulsory prayer
	Related topics: Religiously motivated religious conflict, oppression, & discrimination menu Religious laws of the U.S., Canada and other nations

References used:

1. Paraphrased, with changes, from Forum 18 at: http://www.forum18.org .

Copyright © 2006 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2006-NOV-05
Latest update: 2009-DEC-19
Author: B.A. Robinson

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