Questions about Freedom of religion
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is freedom of religion and what does it include?
Freedom of religion, also known as freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), is the right of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It also includes the right not to profess or practice any religion, often called freedom from religion. It is protected in major international instruments including the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Who was the first person to use the phrase freedom of religion?
The early Christian apologist Tertullian is the first known writer to use the phrase "freedom of religion" (libertas religionis), which appears in the 24th chapter of his Apologeticum. He argued that it is a human right and a privilege of nature that every man should worship according to his own convictions.
What was the Edict of Torda and why is it significant?
The Edict of Torda, first issued by the Hungarian Diet in 1558, is considered the first legal guarantee of religious freedom in Christian Europe. In 1568, under King John Sigismund Zápolya and following the teaching of Ferenc Dávid, founder of the Unitarian Church of Transylvania, it was extended to protect all religions from persecution or imprisonment on the basis of belief.
What countries had the highest restrictions on freedom of religion according to Pew?
Pew's 2022 government restrictions index was topped by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Egypt, Burma, Maldives, and Malaysia. Among the world's 25 most populous countries, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Nigeria had the overall highest levels of restriction.
When was the International Religious Freedom Act signed and what does it do?
President Bill Clinton signed the International Religious Freedom Act on the 27th of October 1998. The act established the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which investigates the religious freedom records of over 200 nations and can recommend economic sanctions against countries with egregious violations.
What percentage of the world's population lived under heavy religious restrictions in 2009?
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 70 percent of the world's population lived in countries classified as having heavy restrictions on freedom of religion in 2009. This figure encompasses both government prohibitions and social hostilities, including communal violence and religion-related terrorism.