Religious
freedom for all
March 2007
By
BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz is the
President of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA). The 6th IRLA
World Congress was held in
On behalf of the leadership, staff and friends of the International Religious
Liberty Association, it gives me great joy to welcome you to the 6th IRLA World
Congress. It is difficult to realize that five years have passed since our last
congress in
As my contribution to this significant congress with the theme, ‘Combating
Religious Hatred through Freedom to Believe,’ I would like to present ten
theses which I believe will encourage religious tolerance, cooperation, and
liberty of conscience:
1. True religion is the belief and positive affirmation of a creator God who
loves and has compassion for humankind. Such religion brings cohesion, morality
and justice to society and distinguishes us from animals. To offend God’s
creation is to offend God. As Dostoyevsky said, “Without God anything is
possible.” Evil is thus the absence of God. Purity and justice in the lives of
humankind is a sign of God’s presence.
2. False religion is true religion which has lost its way and instead of
concentrating on God concentrates on man and becomes ethno-centric, intolerant
and a force for restricting or limiting society’s freedom. False religion is
often used by the state as a means to control and divide people groups. False
religion creates sectarianism which results in religious wars, suppression and
violence within religion and outside of its borders. For
example, the conflict within Christianity of Protestantism and Catholicism, or
within Islam, the conflict between the Shiites and the Sunnis, etc.
3. Religious Freedom is the basis of all freedoms. Where religious
freedom is denied all other freedoms are weakened and threatened.
4. Separation of religion from the state strengthens religious freedom.
Such separation guarantees religion its freedom and at the same time frees the
state to be tolerant of all traditions and neutral in the face of conflicting
religions and ideologies. The history of religions shows that
when religion uses the state to enforce its doctrine, or when the state uses
religion to control the people, both the state and religion suffer.
5. Religion must be free to exercise its prophetic role over against the
sins and evils of a powerful state if it goes unbridled. Because we believe in
separation of religion from the state does not mean that religion has no role
to play in the state. On the contrary, religion that is truly free has the
ability and responsibility to condemn the evils in society through peaceful
means.
6. The state has the right to restrict religious practices that are
harmful to the wellbeing of helpless individuals, or society generally, e.g.,
the sacrifice of infants to the gods, the burning of widows, religious
prostitution, and the state has the right to enforce zoning and health laws.
Unfortunately, this thesis has often been used today to justify any law that
the state may use as an excuse to deny religious freedom. The state must not be
capricious in the use of laws passed supposedly to protect society but which in
fact are an excuse to restrict religion. However, the principle remains that a
just and righteous government often must protect its people from religious
practices that are hateful, e.g. controlling the use of hateful symbols such as
the swastika, or the KKK and a burning cross!
7. Religious freedom affirms the right of conversion. Soul liberty, or
freedom of conscience, means the state should not restrict an individual from
following the dictates of their conscious and their desire to change religions,
or for an individual to deny religion altogether.
8. Civilization and religion are closely bound, for good or ill.
Religious freedom and tolerance prevents a “clash of civilizations.”
9. Syncretism is no solution. Each religion must be given the freedom to
maintain its own history, identity and traditions. Syncretism sponsored by the
state (“all religions are the same”) destroys the uniqueness of religion and
perpetuates intolerance towards minorities. A forced syncretism by the state
does not help, but only creates a new religion which further complicates peaceful
co-existence. The uniqueness of various religions is best maintained by the
institution itself and not by the state. Each religion must maintain the right
to define itself. Dialogue between religions should not be an attempt to
find the lowest common denominator, but rather an exchange of ideas so that we
understand one another better. For example, as a Christian of the Baptist
tradition I believe that God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ as Redeemer
and Savior. This is a basic tenet of my faith. Such faith does not prevent me
from dialogue with other religious traditions, but rather encourages and
enriches me in my pilgrimage of faith!
10. World religions in affirming freedom of religion can contribute to a
free, just and peaceful society. Beyond co-existence, prophetic religion is the
key to pro-existence and encourages all of us to combat religious hatred with a
vision of unity, peace and love for the whole world.