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freedom of religion
- Thread starter buddhadev
- Start date
dmgdnooc
Active Member
　
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 18 says it most specifically, though others of the Articles could be called as supporting witnesses.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 18 says it most specifically, though others of the Articles could be called as supporting witnesses.
Gaura Priya
IRL
Yes, of course. But the freedom to believe seems more prominent in more developed areas, I think.
It is why I am a Unitarian Universalist; it gives me the freedom to believe and rationally investigate claims that religions make, and to make the truth my own. Spirituality goes beyond the labels of Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Baha'i, Wiccan, theist or even atheist. What is most important is doing good deeds and taking those good elements of religion for the upbuilding of society.
It is why I am a Unitarian Universalist; it gives me the freedom to believe and rationally investigate claims that religions make, and to make the truth my own. Spirituality goes beyond the labels of Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Baha'i, Wiccan, theist or even atheist. What is most important is doing good deeds and taking those good elements of religion for the upbuilding of society.
Yes, I feel there is freedom. Oppression can exist in our minds too, not only from outside oppression. We make ourselves feel we must be limited or selective or we can free ourselves.
We can pick the best fruit from spirituals trees if we are willing to take on the extra effort.
We can pick the best fruit from spirituals trees if we are willing to take on the extra effort.
St Giordano Bruno
Well-Known Member
Yes in a just society there is freedom of religion and freedom to not have one at all.
David M
Well-Known Member
There is limited freedom.
There is true freedom to believe in many countries, however even in those countries there can be limits to certain religious practices, e.g. those that harm others.
So if your religion says slavery is ok its still not ok to actually own slaves (as this would breach Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights).
There is true freedom to believe in many countries, however even in those countries there can be limits to certain religious practices, e.g. those that harm others.
So if your religion says slavery is ok its still not ok to actually own slaves (as this would breach Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights).
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
You're welcome bhai. :namaste
doppelganger
Through the Looking Glass
"Freedom" here meaning what? Legal protection from the state and others for persons engaged in variations in religious belief and practice?
It's a sliding scale that depends on the authorities who claim you as a subject. No place on the planet where humans are organized into groups is there complete freedom of religion. And it's rather easy to find many places were there is virtually no such "freedom."
It's a sliding scale that depends on the authorities who claim you as a subject. No place on the planet where humans are organized into groups is there complete freedom of religion. And it's rather easy to find many places were there is virtually no such "freedom."
doppelganger
Through the Looking Glass
How is that different from how I explained it?
In that case, probably not.
For example, even though it's legal to follow any religion in America (so long as followers don't violate the laws), I'd imagine it'd be difficult to be a Pagan while living in the Bible Belt.
gnomon
Well-Known Member
The answer to your first question is no.
The answer to your second question is that people make up new religions all the time. Even when they make up spiteful mockeries of existing religions those turn into religions themselves.
There is no limit to human stu.......imagination.
BruceDLimber
Well-Known Member
On much of the planet, yes!
(I assume you mean following one and taking things from another. In that case,
Of course, especially in certain religions!
Peace,
Bruce
Mathematician
Reason, and reason again
I still witness laws that are imposed on others because representatives or an electorate base their judgement on religious practices. I truly don't think there can ever be total independence since religion serves as a philosophical outlet.
doppelganger
Through the Looking Glass
"Freedom" from what? In other words, what are the constraints on "individuals personal expression of his or her own feelings"?
Are you talking in terms of psychology or social factors? Causal determinism/physics? Or legal rights and the power of legal authorities? All three act as constraints.
You can make up your own religion and any of the following could restrict your complete "freedom of personal expression":
(1) a guilt trip from your parents who are disappointed that you don't follow your family's traditional religious beliefs or practices.
(2) expulsion from an established religious body under the authority of its clergy for heretical practices or beliefs.
(3) violence or scorn cast against you by others in there own "individual expression" because they have an emotional reaction to your religion.
(4) imprisonment, torture and even death at the hands of the state for violation of sacrosanct law.
(5) the largely invisible constraints imposed as the result of the neurological activity being interpreted into thought as "I am" "acting" "freely" such that thought is itself caused by preceding movement of the universe.
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My view is that people should be able to follow their religious beliefs as long as they don't make any impositions on others, including their children. As I feel that religious belief has no empirical or rational basis I don't see that anyone but the individual theists should be obliged to conform to and/or respect those beliefs.