Religious Freedom Threatened at UN

April 13, 2007

Author: Tina Ramirez

Source: Journal Chretien

http://www.spcm.org/Journal/spip.php?article9080

ARLINGTON, VA — On Friday, the United Nations passed a seemingly innocuous resolution combating the “defamation of religions.” Further investigation reveals that this motion has erroneously equated legitimate discussion of religious beliefs with the incitement of religious intolerance. Under this resolution, when an individual’s religious sensitivities are offended – no matter the intent or consequences of the opinions expressed – the state must protect the religion from being defamed, or blasphemed.

Lying at the heart of this resolution is an attempt by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to impose universal anti-blasphemy laws – an offence punishable by death in many countries – thereby stifling open discussion of religious beliefs.

This is a troubling development, especially since countries across the globe are increasingly using anti-blasphemy laws to punish religious minorities for questioning the beliefs of the majority religion. Such laws are no longer confined to Islamic countries ; they are now being called for in democratic societies. Individuals who came to the West to escape persecution are once again in danger.

Attending the UN Human Rights Council was Pastor Daniel Scott ; the first person tried under the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Astonishingly, he fled to Australia twenty years ago only to be accused of religious intolerance for a message he gave on the differences between Christianity and Islam. By equating the expression of differences of belief with religious intolerance, the sponsors of this resolution reveal their own intolerance of differing viewpoints.