Conclusions

First conclusion, all religious or belief communities around the world and their members are treated equally by the UN. Therefore they must be treated equally by Governments and must have access to the same rights and also the same duties as other citizens. Governments have a duty to neutrality and they should not discriminate against specific religious or belief communities nor should they adopt a specific law that puts specific mechanisms and implements specific policies to target specific groups. Last but not least, Governments also have a duty to protect their citizens against any infringement upon their rights regardless of their religion or belief.

Second conclusion, freedom of religion or belief is indivisible. If a faith or a belief community, their leaders or their religious ministers violate laws which are consistent with international standards, they must be prosecuted. If a member of a religious or belief community violates the laws, he/she must be prosecuted but his/her community should not be stigmatized on this ground.

[1] Website: http://www.hrwf.net - international.secretariat.brussels@hrwf.net

[2] See http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/9a30112c27d1167cc12563ed004d8f15

[3] Report E/CN.4/1997/91 of 30 December 1996, para. 95-98., see http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/E.CN.4.1997.91.En?Opendocument

Source: Federation Pour La Paix Universelle (Universal Peace Federation)

Website: france.upf.org (French); upf.org (main page)

Article location: http://france.upf.org/index.php/initiatives/conferences/elc-brussels-2012/120-session-iv/587-sects-or-religions-a-human-rights-perspective#_ftn1

Sects or Religions? A Human Rights Perspective

Willy Fautré

Universal Peace Foundation

12 December 2012

Summary:

Adherents to any belief or religion, regardless of size or historical significance, should be given the freedom to worship. Governments should not make a distinction between mainstream or historical religions and “sects” or “cults.” Such a distinction excludes smaller religious groups from legal protection under religious liberty laws and encourages unfair treatment. Official statements by international organizations, specifically the United Nations, clearly state that all people have a right to religious freedom. Religious freedom should be broadly understood to include minority groups and non-traditional beliefs, and it is the government’s job to protect and ensure religious freedom for all citizens. Practitioners who do violate laws compatible with international standards should be prosecuted without stigmatizing the entire group.

Discussion questions:

1. How do you define religious freedom?
2. Do you think religious freedom is important?
3. Should we make a distinction between “cults,” “sects,” and other religions or beliefs? If so, how should make the distinction?
4. What is the difference between a theological definition and a sociological definition of a cult?
5. What should happen if a religion conflicts with the laws of the country?

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 795