Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Right to Religious Choice (21st c. Revision)

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 declares:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion."


May this right be protected and modified by other rights,
which shall be taken into consideration in order to have
the wise and civil use of this right:

The Right to Security
The Right to Expression
The Right to Pray
The Right to Sacredness
The Right to Self-Determination
The Right to Life for Humans
The Right to Life for Animals
The Right to Life for Plants

48 comments:

Patricia Delgado said...

I think the Right to religion or freedom of religion, is an absolute right, and includes the right to practice any religion of one’s choice, or no religion at all, and to do this without government control. So no one should suppress anyone for any type of religion.
Patricia Delgado

michelle said...

i think te right to religion is very important to everyone, alothough some may not care for religion, it should still be considered because religion is apart of people's lives, and it is very sacred to them.

Anonymous said...

Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer said that "religion is the metaphysics of the masses." this makes me think that the right to religion is connected to the right to imagination,no offence, cause i believe it is something entirely human and essential, its just one more outlet, like art and sex, and in a unexplainable world, outlets is what we need.

JB

Anonymous said...

Different religions and variations of pre exisiting religions arise everyday. How someone chooses to believe or what a person chooses to believe should never be compromised. The question is is where is the line drawn? Where is the divider of being labled religous or a zealot? Should people be allowed to sacrifice living things, degrade and abuse women, or commit acts of violence because its allowed in their religion? Can you say you have the right to believe in religion, just not the right to practice your beliefs?

Unknown said...

The importance of religion holds a large amount of importance through which many people form an identity within their society. Religion provides a powerful way to cope with personal tragedy and hardship. Regardless of what religion you believe in.

-Nicole Chaplin-

Anonymous said...

I believe that the right of religion is one of the most important human rights because it enclose several inalienables humans rights.
Claudia B.

Anonymous said...

The right to religion is extremely important. In history there have been times where people were not allowed to practice their religion. Your religious beliefs are your business, as long as you are not harming anyone or disrupting society.

Anonymous said...

The right to religion is very important. Without religion I truly believe there will be a lot more violence then there already is.
Gaby R.

Anonymous said...

I think the right to religion is very important. Whether people have a religion or not. It is a way of society to embrace what ever they believe in. If we didn't have religion I personally think that our society would have a lot of turmoil.

Juan A said...

I think every human being has the right to religion, for some religion is a very important factor in their lives, for others isn’t. Some people belong to a religion because their parents or ancestors did, but each person should have the right to choose to follow their ancestors’ beliefs, to switch to a different religion or to belong to none.

Mirror said...

I agree with ROB O's comments, and disagree with Patty D's comments. I think the freedom of religion can not be absolute. Any religion that is against life and in favor of violence or human degradation can not be acceptable at all.
Aimara Ors

Anonymous said...

The right to religion (or no religion) should be a personal decision and should not be dictated. The right to religion is the right to believe in something far greater than yourself. It is intimately yours as are your heart, mind and soul. This gives religion power, and where there is power there are those who want it and will do anything to get it. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, some people falsely use religion to try to hide the ugly intentions of abuse, greed, and control. The right to religion should protect things that affirm life, not things that destroy it.
Gabe

Anonymous said...

I think the Right to Religion is very important in the sense that is a personal decision to believe in God, Ala or any superior force. We can be fanatics as long as we don't cross the limit and start killing people, that doesn't have our same beliefs, in the name of God. That is why it is called Freedom of Religion. Laura R.

Unknown said...

Religion is a very touchy topic to speak about as not everyone has the same beliefs. But, everyone should be able to practice their own religion without any restrictions from any other party. Of course, if a certain religion strips someone from other rights then it should be refined.
Luisa Isla

Anonymous said...

Nobody thinks or has the same beliefs; we all have the right to practice whichever religion we believe in and not be judged by it. Just because others might not believe the same thing that you do, doesn’t make their beliefs or perception wrong.

-D. Diaz

Rosa F. said...

Everyone should have the right to believe what they want to believe. I think it's disgusting that the present holds so much discrimination towards people who are only acting upon the rights they were born with.
--Rosa F.

Anonymous said...

We will always believe what we want. If we are made to feel a certain way then not much can change it. I feel that only outside forces can try to tame our practice or expression.

surfershoes

Anonymous said...

Freedom of religion or freedom from religion is a right that should always be protected. All Americans are guaranteed this right; it is dishearten to see that the rest of the world as not adapted this. Gary Norris

Anonymous said...

I think everyone feels his or her religion the correct religion, otherwise why would you dedicate yourself to it. Believe what you want to believe but we all still need to respect others. I do feel some religions damage their own credibility by instilling fear and hatred towards those with different beliefs.

Ann Marie

Esmeralda A said...

The right to religion is something that is a personal choice. Although religion should be respected by all means, there are things that should not be respected. Some religions believe that it is okay to abuse women or to have them like slaves and that i do not respect. Religion is a sensitive topic, so i rather not continue. EA

Luz Mery said...

Like mentioned previous, religion is a very tough topic to discuss as everyone has a different opinion about religion. But I do believe there should be the right for everyone to have their own beliefs and to follow the religion which fills their life.

Ingrid J. said...

Different beliefs in different gods or one God birth different religions,and the right to religion is of extreme importance. The Right to Religion gets out of hand when different groups get fanatical exercising control and even killing under its guise. I agree with Gabe when he says that some people falsely use it to hide their ugly intentions. Even though every religion believe that they are the right one, tolerance must be exercised in order for this right to be exercised.

Anonymous said...

Religion is defined as “a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs”. Everyone should the freedom /right to religion, but unfortunately, it is a right that is not fully expressed. We are not allowed to express our religion because others might feel offended. I don’t think this is right. People need to learn and accept that everyone is different and we are entitled to believe in who we think is believable.
MelB

Anonymous said...

Everyone has the right to religion. Religion allows us to have faith. Religion should not be denied for we have the right to practice it or not. Religion has been around for centuries among different cultures. There are different Gods, different prayers, different rituals, and different readings, that make them unique. Religion allows us to create ourselves. As long as we do not harm others, we should always have this right. We all have the right to believe in whatever and whoever we want. Without this right we would not have all the other rights that pertain to us beings. Religion is an important right, that should be respected and protected.
-Shivani

Anonymous said...

Everyone should have the right to religion and the ability to express what they believe however they wish. From 1948 when the human right was declared till today, we have continued to fulfill the ability to have the right to our own beliefs and religion. -v.p.

Anonymous said...

Everyone should be able to exercise their right to religion. That being said, some practices of a certain religion may be found offensive to others, thus causing the discrepencies we currently see in the world today when religion is involved.

Eddie M.

Espy said...

Religion is a touchy subject. In the U.S people are either Christian or Jewish. But there are a variety of different religions around the world. I am not an expert but I do believe you shouldn't judge someone on their religion. I would say that must religions for the most part pave the way for you to live life in the most ethical manner possible. Now if religions practice unethical things, then I may have a problem with it.

cd884 said...

The right to religion is one of the rights that are mostly taken away from us humans. This is because religions have a different view of things as well as different traditions and rituals. Many think that some practices are unethical but I think that we should all respect every religion and accept their traditions and rituals.

Miglaude said...

We have to respect the beliefs of others, even if we do not comprehend their passions. By protecting the right to perform religion is giving permission to others to verbalize about their religion's style and structure. This maintains an open conversation and tries to find tranquility, while at the same time not tolerating ourselves to be scared in the expression of our religion.

Unknown said...

Religion is to do right. It is to love, it is to serve, it is to think, it is to be humble.

Janet Almonte said...

We all should have the right to choose in what we believe or do not in. There have been many centuries of argument and war in regards to whose religion is the correct one by establishing evidence of its age and proving it through science of its existence. All religions come from ancient old knowledge whether practiced in its old or new aspects and all religions have had some type of scientific evidence. The issue here is that since they all exist and all can be true, why can humanity not accept this? Why do individuals continue to go against the main purpose of religion which is to love and respect each other? Why can’t we look into what qualities we all share instead of looking at its differences?
Janet

Pedro Leon said...

Through time religion has been the source for civil obedience, music, and the individual follower. The Right to Religion is part of the forwardness of human activities, and all basic religions should be accepted. P.L

Unknown said...

Exercising religious rituals happen in various forms. This does not only focus on supernatural powers or known gods. Everyone is given the right to any religion they choose. They are given the right to find the truth about religion.

Anonymous said...

The right to practice religion should never by taken away from anyone. Humans have always needed to feel that there is a greater being then us. This helps us cope with everyday problems and especially if there is a great loss or disater. Religion gives us hope and strenght. It teaches us to have courage to deal with life.
Marcia P

Anonymous said...

This right is one of the most special right to me because religion plays a huge role in a persons everyday life and as well as one's spiritual well being.

f.c.

RhWim said...

Everyone should have the right to choose their religion. Although for most of us, this choice is made for us when we are very young children. I know for me, I only knew of the Baptist religion. I was not exposed to any other type of religions during my youth. Therefore, I realy did not have a choice until I became an older woman and started investigating the differences in religion on my own. I found that I still want to be of the Baptist religion faith and beliefs.

Anonymous said...

I do believe on this right and it is good to have it.

Ismael delValle

Anonymous said...

Freedom of religion is vital because people have the right to believe and trust in their own religion. E.S.

Anonymous said...

Religion is a very complex subject. It unites people anywhere and brings the best of human beings. All religions are beautiful and should be respected. Unfortunately, there are people who have misinterpreted them and have used them as excuse for terrible wars and genocides over centuries. I think we need to educate ourselves more about other religions and their practices so we can become more tolerant. We need to accept and respect each other. GS.

galatea. said...

very nice blog x

Anonymous said...

Religion is a hard topic to discuss for the fact that people have different believes and opinions. Everyone should have this right not only because it is a form of expression but also because it allows people to believe on something they think is right for them.

Anonymous said...

Thankfully, we live in a country where we can choose what we want to believe and nothing is enforced on us. It isn't just about 'choosing a religion', it's about the freedom to control your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and theories. The right to religion is very important for the human. Take a look at countries where religion is imposed upon, they are not in so-good situations. We will never have complete and total peace but at least we have the right to choose it. --KB

TrustMeImADoctor said...

If we did not have something we held sacred, somethng that guided our life, something that provided balance, something that reassured us as life came at us we would live in a world full of sad individuals that acted only to please themselves. Would there be a balance of wrong or right, good and evil, hevan and hell, ying and yang. Everything has a balance that helps keeps us whole.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, there is no right or wrong in religion, as long as you believe in that guides your life. Everyone has the right to believe in whatever religion they choose without being judged.

-Ukeme Akpan

Jenny said...

I believe that as humans, we have the right to choose the religion that suites us most. One that will provide mental and physical peace and guidance through the difficult obstacles of life.

JR

Unknown said...

The right to religion is ridiculous, because you have people praying to animals and plants. I really don't agree with a lot of these religions, but who am I to judge them.

Anonymous said...

Without the right to freedom of religion things can become chaotic, there being a vast spectrum of beliefs around the world. In my opinion, you’re not born choosing your religion, your religion is something past on through your culture and family. After you have an abstract mind and a sense of individuality you can choose for yourself. There are those individuals who are religious or may not be. We all have beliefs that may not agree with other religions but all religions should still be respected. – D.T

RV said...

I absolutely agree that is our born right to practice a religion.