Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Lett, James W

Titel

The evolution of religious freedom

Ist Teil von

• Forum on public policy, 2007-03

Ort / Verlag

Forum on Public Policy

Erscheinungsjahr

2007

Quelle

EZB Electronic Journals Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Since the late 18th century, liberal democratic states have considered freedom of religion to be a fundamental human right, and today the principle is prevalent in law and practice in the Western world. However, faith-based religion poses one of the gravest threats to the stability and security of secular nations. Given that faith based religious beliefs (such as those espoused by Christianity and Islam) are unquestionably delusional, and that they frequently threaten or undermine individual liberty and social justice, it is remarkable that secular democracies accord those beliefs so much respect and forbearance. Faith-based religious beliefs are not only intellectually disreputable and morally problematic, however-they also have enormous potential for death and destruction, because they frequently inspire terrorist violence and sectarian enmity. National policies concerning the exercise of religion should be based upon a forthright recognition of the irrationality, intolerance, and immorality inherent in faith-based approaches to knowledge and belief. If secular nations are to survive and flourish in the 21st century, freedom of religion must be replaced by the fundamental human right to freedom from religion.