Freedom of Religion Chapter Notes | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

• Religious freedom, or freedom of religion, is the right to choose and practice any religion.
• This right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
  • "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom … to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance" (Article 18, UDHR).
• In the UK, the official state religion is Christianity (The Church of England).
• The government safeguards the right to religious expression, allowing individuals to worship as they choose or to abstain from worship entirely.
• No one can be compelled to adopt a faith or join a church.
• Preaching hatred or intolerance toward others is prohibited.
• Historically, Britain has not always been tolerant of religious freedom:
  • Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church to secure a divorce, establishing the Church of England, looting churches, and killing Catholics who resisted.
  • Mary I reinstated Catholicism as the state religion and executed those who opposed her.
  • Elizabeth I reverted to Protestantism, fining those who did not attend church and persecuting supporters of the Pope.
• Conflicts arising from religious intolerance have occurred, often complicated by political factors.
  such as:
  • The conflict in Northern Ireland (now largely resolved).
  • Persecution of Christians in minority communities in parts of the Middle East.

Christian Teachings on Freedom of Religious Expression

• Most Christians advocate for freedom of religious expression.
• Christian teachings promote tolerance and harmony.
• Jesus taught his followers to "love your neighbour" and follow the Golden Rule: "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12).
• In the Gospel of Mark, a man not following Jesus was casting out demons in His name, and Jesus instructed his disciples not to stop him: "Whoever is not against us is for us" (Mark 9:39-40).
• Jesus emphasized diverse ways to worship God: "My Father’s house has many rooms" (John 14:2), often interpreted as supporting religious freedom by allowing multiple paths to worship and salvation.
• When rejected, Jesus moved on without retaliation (Luke 9:52-56).
• Jesus associated with those shunned by others, such as the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-27), and praised the Good Samaritan who helped a person in need despite Jewish-Samaritan tensions (Luke 10:25-37).
• Christians who fight among themselves or deny others’ rights contradict Biblical teachings: "Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
• Paul urged Christians in Rome to "live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18) and to avoid those causing divisions: "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them" (Romans 16:17).
• Religious freedom aligns with God’s design and is considered a fundamental human right.
• Some Christians, particularly those in the Roman Catholic Church and certain Orthodox Churches, are less tolerant, believing they follow the "one true faith."

Muslim Teachings on Freedom of Religious Expression

• The Qur’an teaches that choosing Islam is voluntary: "There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion" (Qur’an 2:256).
• While Islam is seen as the best path: individuals should have the freedom to choose, "Let those who wish to believe in it do so, and let those who wish to reject it do so" (Qur’an 18:29).
• The Qur’an refers to: "People of the Book" (Christians and Jews), who are accepted as followers of divine revelations and should not face discrimination in some Muslim countries.
• Interpretations of Islamic teachings on religious freedom vary across countries, ranging from limited to full acceptance.
• In Britain, Muslims enjoy religious freedom, allowing them to worship, build mosques, establish schools, and publicly express their faith.
• In some Muslim-majority countries, such as Saudi Arabia, religious freedom for non-Muslims is limited, and followers of other faiths may face discrimination.
• In countries like Pakistan, blasphemy laws make it illegal for Muslims to criticize the Qur’an or the Prophets.
• In some Muslim countries, converting from Islam or abandoning it is considered a sin and a crime, with punishments ranging from none to execution.
• Muslims have faced restrictions on their religious freedom:
  • Muslim women are taught to dress modestly, and in the UK, they can wear clothing reflecting their faith.
  • In countries like France, Austria, and the Netherlands, face coverings such as the burqa are banned.
  • Some school uniform policies do not accommodate traditional Islamic dress.