Should freedom of religion grow in the many countries of the world?

[AnthonyGiarrusso]

Should freedom of religion grow in the many countries of the world?

 

[King Phenomenon]

Should freedom of religion grow in the many countries of the world?

You don’t know? Thats unfortunate

 

[ChristineM]

So long as freedom from religion gets equal status then the only question i have is who is paying for the administration?

 

[Ponder This]

When religion is not free, people just pretend.

 

[Viker]

So long as freedom from religion gets equal status then the only question i have is who is paying for the administration?

I'm one of those folks that when they say 'freedom of religion' what I mean is like saying "smoke 'em if you got 'em". If you don't smoke then that's perfectly fine with me. You don't have to smoke.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Should freedom of religion grow in the many countries of the world?

As long as freedom from religion grows in kind.

 

[LuisDantas]

This sort of question is less than useful without some elaboration of what is meant.

My own take is that sure, freedom of religion is a good thing... but it is not and should not be a refuge from basic responsibility for our actions and omissions.

Which ultimately means that law should give no recognition to any concept of religion whatsoever, and laicism is the only reasonable relationship between governments and creeds.

It also means that ultimately freedom of religion can't exist without also including freedom from (whatever is considered by someone to be a) religion.

 

[SalixIncendium]

There are many freedoms that should grow...the freedom to practice whatever religion one chooses or the freedom of choice not to practice any religion at all...the freedom to speak openly about one's political views...essentially the freedom to make practically any life choice that doesn't impact the lives of others.

 

[Brian2]

Should freedom of religion grow in the many countries of the world?

It would be great if it was free.
It is not free in communist countries, in Islamic countries, in Hindu countries and in democratic countries where people get offended by the teachings of religion when they are contrary to the laws of the land.

 

[LuisDantas]

It would be great if it was free.
It is not free (...) in Hindu countries and in democratic countries where people get offended by the teachings of religion when they are contrary to the laws of the land.

How is it not free in those two situations?

 

[SalixIncendium]

It is not free in...democratic countries where people get offended by the teachings of religion when they are contrary to the laws of the land.

And this is a result of teaching those that don't wish to be taught.

I think you might have freedom of religion confused with freedom to proselytize.

 

[Brickjectivity]

When religion is not free, people just pretend.

Yup. It turns everyone into liars and also encourages a hidden criminal culture. What is an unbeliever to do if they have to act like a believer? It won't convert them. You'll also have people who think they are religious but who are very unregenerate, have bad character and do evil in the name of religion. It makes every day worse.

 

[Brian2]

And this is a result of teaching those that don't wish to be taught.

I think you might have freedom of religion confused with freedom to proselytize.

It's the result of people not wanting the teachings of religion taught if people are offended by them.
There is meant to be no proselytizing on this forum. It is probably a hard one to pin down precisely. In a free society spreading your religion should not be punishable or prohibited.

 

[SalixIncendium]

It's the result of people not wanting the teachings of religion taught if people are offended by them.

Why would people be offended for any reason other than forcing something upon them that they don't want?

There is meant to be no proselytizing on this forum. It is probably a hard one to pin down precisely. In a free society spreading your religion should not be punishable or prohibited.

Why do you feel it's acceptable to force your religion upon another?

Would you find my forcing my vegetarian views on you to be acceptable? Why or why not?

 

[LuisDantas]

It's the result of people not wanting the teachings of religion taught if people are offended by them.
There is meant to be no proselytizing on this forum. It is probably a hard one to pin down precisely. In a free society spreading your religion should not be punishable or prohibited.

Not if it is not harmful, you mean.

 

[Viker]

It's the result of people not wanting the teachings of religion taught if people are offended by them.
There is meant to be no proselytizing on this forum. It is probably a hard one to pin down precisely. In a free society spreading your religion should not be punishable or prohibited.

What if there were Aztec revivalists (there are and they no longer advocate sacrifice) who advocated human sacrifice as practicing their religion, should we allow them that? Because they would be practicing their religion. Why not?

What you're confusing for any lack of freedom is actually restricting one group from imposing it's religion on another unwilling person or persons. If a religion believes in imposing on others is a necessary practice, they should reexamine that before mingling with others.

I don't object to basic public proselytizing. It's not against any law in the US. We have evangelists, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons all freely proselytizing everywhere all over. None of them are permitted to impose their views or practices on others. Any state endorsement or establishment of religion is prohibited. That's not against freedom of religion, it's freedom of religion in action.

 

[Brian2]

Why would people be offended for any reason other than forcing something upon them that they don't want?

Is it the forcing that they don't want or the particular teaching that they don't want? and how is it forced onto people?

Why do you feel it's acceptable to force your religion upon another?

How can I force my religion onto anyone?

Would you find my forcing my vegetarian views on you to be acceptable? Why or why not?

Oh how offensive, you mentioned vegetarianism and forced me to read it.

 

[Brian2]

Not if it is not harmful, you mean.

If nobody is being harmed of course. That ruling however can be a matter of opinion and can be abused.

 

[Brian2]

What if there were Aztec revivalists (there are and they no longer advocate sacrifice) who advocated human sacrifice as practicing their religion, should we allow them that? Because they would be practicing their religion. Why not?

What you're confusing for any lack of freedom is actually restricting one group from imposing it's religion on another unwilling person or persons. If a religion believes in imposing on others is a necessary practice, they should reexamine that before mingling with others.

I don't object to basic public proselytizing. It's not against any law in the US. We have evangelists, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons all freely proselytizing everywhere all over. None of them are permitted to impose their views or practices on others. Any state endorsement or establishment of religion is prohibited. That's not against freedom of religion, it's freedom of religion in action.

Aztec revivalists can spread their religion if it is not harming anyone. I'm not sure how people impose their religion onto another unwilling person. That sounds like more than proselytising and different.
I'm talking about speaking about your religion and stopping if they don't want to hear about it.
Is that proselytising?

Whether teachings are doing harm can be a matter of opinion imo but a line needs to be drawn sometimes and no doubt there will be times when the line is an abuse of freedom of religion, and at times there will be no line drawn when there needs to be one.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Is it the forcing that they don't want or the particular teaching that they don't want?

It could be argued that the want neither.

and how is it forced onto people?

By "teaching" it in a time or venue that said people didn't intend on receiving it.

How can I force my religion onto anyone?

By proselytizing and preaching. I thought we were clear on this.

Oh how offensive, you mentioned vegetarianism and forced me to read it.

Good. You've shown you can deflect. Now answer the question.