Is freedom of religion a human right?

Question

If you want my opinion I'd say yes- people shouldn't be forced to believe something either by a lack of alternative or persecution. We should never go against our consciences- if we can't agree with something- we shouldn't be forced to go along with it.

Apparently the Saudis didn't sign the UN thing on human rights in 1948 because they didn't agree with freedom of religion. So I'm especially interested in what Muslims have to say. If Islam is true, it should be able to stand up to criticism and shouldn't be forced on anyone. Doesn't the Qu'ran say "there is no compulsion in religion"?

Answer 1

No, we have no rights. That is the wrong way to look at things. It is a fundemental flaw in our modern thinking. No wonder we are all in a mess with all our conflicting claims.

If a "right" is truly a right then it can always be enforced - Now there is another problem, who is the enforcer? (And how many times do we see people enforcing a "right" in a clearly wrong way?). But back to the main point, "Rights," can conflict therefore they can't be rights because a "right," is absolute, as a law. (Laws, as we all should know do not produce life but are negative and are to restrain and limit us - of course they are necessary for our present condition.) If "rights" are conditional then they are not rights, but claims or permissions or some such else and can be overthrown by a stronger claim, permission etc., or even by subjective dictates, something we choose because we like it.

We should do what is right.

To do what is right can never be wrong, by definition.

Now there is a whole new problem to solve, but at least it will be productive. And how do we know what is right? Now this is a much more interesting and challenging question, and much more likely to bring us help.This is rather the way we should direct our thinking. If we all always did right then we would need no laws.

Unfortunately men abuse their temporary power, ie they do wrong, that is the problem.
Granting "rights" does not solve that problem.

Again, unfortunately the modern (lack of) thinking rejects absolutes and so relativism and confusion abounds and ultimately even "rights" become meaningless.

We are too weak minded.

Answer 2

Being of a bohemian mindset, I believe people should be able to believe whatever they want, and voice their beliefs without consequence whether you believe in God or not... But now I have a question: If you went hiking in the woods and came across a nice clean well kept cottage stocked with food, would you think the cottage got there by chance? Or would you think the cottage "evolved" from the rocks and dirt on ground into a house? No somebody had to build it and supply it with food. Or if I just took a couple of gears and metal and tied them to a granade and threw it in the air, would the "bang" produce a rolex? No, because you don't get order and precision from chaos. Some in the scientific community are willing to consider the idea of Intelligent Design because there is PROOF of Intelligent Design. Now whether you want to put faith in a bang of chaos that produces order, or in evolution even though it's been a long time and nothing or nobody else seems to be evolving...any...more... Or whatever you want to believe, that's your business. But I don't think it's fair to say that people who have faith don't have any proof for what they believe in.

Answer 3

Depends on whether you believe that there is any such thing as "human rights".

It seems to me that the ONLY true Human Right is the right to try to survive. Maybe we could add the right to try to be happy.

All other so-called Human rights are decided on by society and change from time to time. for example, In the UK, it was once the "Right" of a gentelman to carry a sword. Today however, he gets arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.
also, once upon a time, the lord of the Manor had the right to "try out" every virgin bride in his area, before the husband got the chance - (maybe that's what's meant by being the "best man" :-) ). Nowadays, he gets a punch on the jaw if he tries.

So, all things change. Today we have a right to decide on our own religion (or none). several hundred years ago in Britain, you went to the established church EVERY Sunday or you got fined or imprisoned. Maybe in another hundred years, it will change back again. Who knows.

Answer 4

It should be. ithink it slots right in there with freedom of thought. what would we be without that?????

Not signing the treaty was probably out of fear. The way the Saudis practise Islam is often far fetched from the actual teachings of the Quraan and Prophet (SAW). I think they realise that with the choice they will have to make appropriate changes. Especially regarding womens rights and discrimination amoung the diffrent races and classes. ( disabled, old etc)

Belief out of fear and ignorance is not true beleif anyway. Its only real if you know about everything else and still hold strong to your faith.

Answer 5

at some point, maybe the whole of the world can agree on basic human rights for all, it can't be that difficult surely?

Freedom of religion would be one of them, but only where it doesn't come into conflict with more important and basic ones.

I would say freedom FROM religion is also a human right.

Answer 6

This day have those who reject Faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.3-5 Qur'an
Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the Judgment (to come)?7-95 Qur'an
Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah hearth and knoweth all things.256-2Qura'n
this is what Islam saying don't tell me what this country or that do !.
now tell me what is your religion say about another religion ?!!

Answer 7

I do not think it is a human right. What i do believe is a human right is the freedom of choice. Religion will fall under that. So i guess the answer to your question is yes.

Answer 8

The Koran does allow for very limited Religious freedom, If they pay a tithe to the Muslim leaders. But it also says to kill the Christian and the Jew. Islam cannot tolerate any criticism or competition. Even though some Muslims are nice people the religion itself is evil incarnate.

Answer 9

Freedom of religion is an aspect of free will and so I'd say yes. It's a God given right. Freedom is not necessarily a political right though.

Answer 10

Yes, of course freedom of religion should be a human right - which is why children should not be brainwashed by their 'superiors' before they are able to study the alternatives for themselves.