What Religious Freedom is (and isn’t)

Throughout our communities there are people with all kinds of different beliefs. In our communities, our colleagues at work, our fellow students, our friends, sometimes in our family there will be people who have different religions. We come to our ideas and beliefs, and our religious identities, often because these are a part of our inherited identity but we also use our god-given minds to reach conclusions about how we see our existence and purpose. Real religious belief means that we form our own understanding of god and religion. I personally believe this is through divine revelation and the study of holy scriptures but it is for each of us to come to our own conclusions. This is a fundamental part of what it means to be human which is why religious freedom is a fundamental human right in international law.

The Middle East and North Africa region is the cradle of humanity and the birthplace of many of the world’s religions. It is a beautiful bouquet of cultures and beliefs. However, it is also a place in which freedom to choose your religion, change your religion, practice your religion and worship peacefully is very restricted.

Religious freedom isn’t a threat to anyone. It certainly isn’t a threat to god. It is a fundamental human right in international law because it goes to the heart of what it means to be a human being with god-given minds, creativity, ideas and thoughts. Our religion should not be derived from the dictates of governments that are flawed and sometimes mistaken, sometimes incompetent, sometimes corrupt. We think, we observe the world, we hear teachings, we learn and we come to our conclusions about how we understand the world and our place in it. If our religious beliefs are peaceful then we should be permitted the space to practice them and worship in freedom.

This isn’t some wild liberal or Western idea that means we have to accept and agree with one another all the time. It doesn’t mean that we can’t debate one another fiercely and disagree strongly. We can try to persuade one another. We can encourage one another to think differently or to return to the true faith. We can feel the pang of frustration and express our feeling of offense at the views of the other person. But civilisation is where we leave the punishment for wrong-headed religious belief to god.

Religious freedom doesn’t mean saying “you are right!” It doesn’t mean saying “I like you and I like the decision you have made!” It means we can say “I think your religion is dumb. I think you’re crazy. But you are still my neighbour. You’re still my friend. You are due dignity and peace even if you’re religion is false. This is good for both of us. And in the end god will judge which of us is right!”

We all believe that our religion is the one true religion. We can’t all be right. I am confident that what I believe about god is true. I am not threatened by the beliefs of my fellow citizens. God is not threatened by the beliefs of my fellow citizens. To suggest he is, is surely an insult. Is he so small? Disagreement and debate develops my knowledge and sharpens my mind, and so it strengthens my faith. This must be a good thing for our religion overall. I am certain also that religious freedom makes my country more honourable, more respected, and happier for all its citizens. Let’s stand together as the civilised majority and speak as one voice on behalf of all our fellow citizens.

We are // compatriots. We are // friends. We are // family. We are // diverse. We are // equal.

We are // United.