Interview

Findings of the Report on Religious Freedom

An interview discussing the state of religion's freedom in the world today and its possible implications

Willmore D. Eva is the former editor of Ministry Magazine.

John Graz, Ph.D., is director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, General Conference of Seventhday Adventists.

Will Eva: John, why is there a Report on Religious Freedom in the first place? What is its significance?

John Graz: There are two major reports on the state of religious freedom worldwide: the United Nations Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights Report,1 given every year, and the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.2 Our report is a supplementary resource for both. To establish a general world report is a huge undertaking; thus, all reliable resources are welcomed. In publishing our own report,3 we strive to disclose violations of religious freedom and to encourage countries to protect and defend the fundamental principle of religious freedom.

WE: How are these reports, including yours, useful for the cause of religious freedom?

JG: One cannot expect that a report will change oppression and persecution in a few days, but we are living in a world whose countries are increasingly linked. The democratic countries, and especially the United States of America, have a leadership role. Most of the countries need communication and help to benefit, in one way or another, from the economic prosperity of the West. Human rights violations, including religious persecution, are seen as dark stains and create problems for good relations between countries.

The situation is something like a person's desire to become the member of a respected club. Just as the person is applying for membership, a newspaper reveals that they abuse their children. In our reports, we give an account of a country's record with respect to their signature under the International Bill of Rights.4 Of course, when a government is mentioned and is listed as a persecutor, that government reacts.

WE: Could this not increase the danger for believers under such governments?

JG: What is more dangerous is for a government to claim that it offers religious freedom, when it is well known that it doesn't. If the report is not correct, it is easy enough to disprove. If, which is most often the case, the report is correct, the government will have to explain its policy and actions against religious freedom.

Such a report may open a fruitful dialogue between persecutor and the persecuted. Our purpose in making these reports is not to attack a government, but to help it realize that not only is something wrong in its country but that other nations know that something is wrong.

Those who persecute must come to understand that there is strong solidarity with the innocent, and that it is totally unacceptable to persecute some one because of his or her religious faith and beliefs.

WE: Some would argue that religious freedom opens the door to a multiplication of harmful and dangerous cults. How does this fit into your thinking?

JG: That's a loaded and difficult question. Let me begin with what I believe is the best definition of religious freedom. It is found in Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights voted by acclamation December 10, 1948. It states: "Every one has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

This article is present in many national constitutions and international treaties. It is also developed in the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Beliefs and Religions.5 The comment of Article 18 voted by the United Nations states that religious freedom is a fundamental freedom that must be respected, even in the case of a national emergency.6

Having said that, we have to mention the limits of religious freedom. As for every kind of freedom, there are limits. Having religious freedom does not mean you can do everything you want on behalf of religion.

In their teachings, most religions draw their own borders. If you love your neighbor you must respect him. You cannot lie, steal, or kill. The limits to religious freedom set by the International Bill of Rights are family, health, public order, and other similar principles. We do agree, though, that often those terms can be hard to define exactly and that the issue can become difficult, especially in the context of some cults. We must recall that in its earliest days, Christianity could have been deemed a dangerous cult. In fact, in the Roman Empire, it was. Yet, all things considered, the protection of religious freedom is definitely the better option.

WE: In your Report 2000, you mentioned an Adventist church building destroyed by the authorities in Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation. Why did that happen?

JG: In the early 1990s, when the Adventist community was recognized by the State, they began to build a church—the only one in Turkmenistan. In 1994, a new law required all churches and religious groups to re-register. The Adventists should have been re-registered, according to the new laws, but the authorities put obstacles in the way of the church until the deadline had passed. They then decided to destroy the building because the church was not re-registered and thus was not "recognized."7

Turkmenistan is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; they signed through the former Soviet Union the Helsinki Final Act, including Principle VII on religious freedom. In destroying a church building, the nation violated that principle. Their membership is contested by many European countries and by the United States.

WE: Turkmenistan has a majority of Muslims. Are all Muslim countries opposed to religious freedom?

JG: In our report, Category 5 is the category given to those countries with no religious freedom whatsoever. The countries listed are predominantly Islamic. In Category 4, the countries listed are Muslim. But, we must by no means say that Islam or the Muslims are against religious freedom. Most do not have the same concept that we have about religious freedom. Yet we must never forget that during certain times and in many situations, Islam has been far more tolerant toward religious minorities than has Christianity. Religious freedom is a relatively new concept in Christendom.

Intolerance can come from any religion. Buddhism and Hinduism, which are known for tolerance, are not an exception either. Some governments are forcing Christians to become Buddhists, while extremist Hindus are persecuting Christians in India. Christians have in the past been persecutors, and many of those persecuted were fellow Christians who believed differently from their persecutors on some point. Christian kingdoms have not always been models of tolerance and religious freedom!

WE: Your report also focuses on a few European countries persecuting religious minorities. Is the term "persecution" appropriate in a democracy?

JG: In publishing an official list of sects and cults believed to be potentially dangerous, France and Belgium have shelved or forgotten their commitment to religious freedom. It is unthinkable that such respected democracies and human rights advocates have initiated this kind of action. In France, there is a commission against sects that periodically updates the list.8 The first anti-sect law was voted December 10,1998, right on the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. This kind of law causes one to wonder if those who enacted it are no longer conscious of Article 18 of the United Nations Declaration! In any case, the result is that almost every religious minority in France has problems; even if they are not listed.

What concerns me is that those who are fighting so-called sects are blinded by their anti-religious presuppositions and biases. They claim to protect and defend human rights, but they seem to have little relevant understanding of the religious dimension. This leads me to a disturbing conclusion: That it is possible for countries with a strong democratic heritage to persecute people, in good conscience and with admirable motivation. That is, people can be persecuted on behalf of the truth, on behalf of cultural identity. Thus, the time may come when believers will be persecuted in the name of human rights.

WE: Does this mean that in traditionally "free" societies, religion may in the future no longer be seen as a fundamental freedom?

JG: I will never forget the answer of a headmaster in a French public secondary school. He decided with his board to reject any registration of students who ask for Saturdays off from school because of religious reasons. Young Adventists were concerned, but the officer said that "if we allow giving Saturday off for the Adventists, we will have to do the same for those who want to play football, or go fishing...." For him, a religious conviction was the same as a sport or leisure activity, nothing more!

Fortunately, in the same town, the headmaster of another public school took the opposite position. For him, religious convictions were serious enough, and he sought to help the students. It means that there is hope, and everywhere religious freedom has supporters.

WE: Several countries are com mended for their improvement on religious freedom. That is good news.

JG: Yes. You will find 132 countries listed in Categories 1 and 2, which is the majority. Italy, Spain, Poland, and most of the countries in South America have improved their level of religious freedom. The United States of America is concerned about the issue of religious freedom abroad and has raised its voice, often but not always, where persecution arises. There is good support from several governments, which encourage us to organize seminars, symposiums, and world congresses around the globe. We have friends everywhere, in every country and in every religion. In working together, we shall make a significant difference. Religious freedom is a basic human right, a fundamental freedom, and we have to protect, defend, and pro mote it everywhere for everyone. It is a Christian task. But it is also a mission of and in behalf of the human spirit.

Note: To obtain a copy of the Religious Freedom World Report 2000, write to GCPARL, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, or visit the IRLA Web page: www.IRLA.org

1. www.unhchr.ch

2. www.uscirf.gov

3. Religious Freedom World Report 2000, Silver Spring, Md., August 2000.

4. See "Religion and Human Rights: Basic Documents," Center for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia University, 1998.

5. Idem., 101,102. Article 6 gives an explanation of what religous freedom means!

6. Idem., 92-95. United Nations Human Rights Committee General Comment, No. 22.

7. Compass Direct, Nov. 16, 1999.

8. Alain Gest and lacques Guyard, "Les Sectes en France." Rapport 2468, Assembled Nationale, December 20, 1995.


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Willmore D. Eva is the former editor of Ministry Magazine.

John Graz, Ph.D., is director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, General Conference of Seventhday Adventists.

November 2000

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