Christianity & Religious Freedom (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian teachings regarding religious freedom

What is religious freedom?

• Religious freedom refers to the right of individuals or groups to practice, express, and observe their religion without interference or coercion from the government, society, or other individuals

  • It includes the right to choose one’s religion, change it, or not follow any religion at all

    • In some parts of the world, changing or not following a religion is restricted, but internationally, it is considered a personal liberty

  • Religious freedom is often considered a fundamental human right and is recognised in various international human rights documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18)

• Religious freedom guarantees that individuals can believe in and practice any religion (or none) without fear of punishment, discrimination, or repression

  • This includes freedom to worship, pray, assemble, and participate in religious activities

• Religious freedom ensures that no one should be forced to follow a particular religion or be discriminated against based on their religious beliefs or practices

  • This includes the right to be free from religious persecution, whether at the hands of the state or other groups

• In many countries, laws protect religious freedom as part of human rights legislation

  • This protection is often framed in terms of non-discrimination and the principle of freedom of conscience

• Religious freedom is also intertwined with other rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and privacy

• In some countries, religious freedom is a deeply embedded value, with legal frameworks supporting it, while in others, religious minorities may face oppression or restrictions

  • International bodies such as the United Nations and European Union work to promote and protect religious freedom globally

Christian teaching on religious freedom

• Christianity teaches that religious freedom is important because it reflects the values of love, respect, and free will

  • Christianity teaches that God gave humans the gift of free will, meaning the ability to make choices about their beliefs and actions

  • This freedom is essential because it allows people to choose to follow God freely, rather than being forced into faith

  • God does not want to force anyone into worship, as true love and faith must be given freely

  • The Bible encourages Christians to live their lives freely and that includes religious freedom

• Jesus taught Christians to love their neighbours, and this includes respecting people’s freedom to practice their own beliefs, even if they are different from one's own

  • Christians believe that everyone deserves respect and that religious freedom is a natural extension of loving others

  • There are several bible verses promoting freedom for others, including Matthew 22:39 ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and Luke 6:31 ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’

• Jesus taught the value of individual conscience when he did not force people to follow him, but instead invited them to choose to follow him

  • This idea of personal choice in religion aligns with the Christian belief that faith must be genuine and freely chosen

  • The Bible states, ‘Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32)

• Early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs, and many of them were forced to practice their faith in secret

  • The Bible talks about persecution for faith but encourages Christians to continue practicing their beliefs regardless of opposition

  • The Bible says, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 5:10)

• Christians believe that everyone has the right to religious freedom

  • The idea that people should be able to worship freely is supported by the Bible, and many Christian denominations have been advocates for religious freedom throughout history

  • The Catholic Church, for example, has supported the right to religious freedom, as seen in the Second Vatican Council's document ‘Dignitatis Humanae’, which says that all people have the right to seek and practice the truth about 

• Christianity teaches tolerance for people of other faiths

  • While Christians believe their religion to be true, they are also taught to respect others' beliefs and practices

  • This is reflected in how many Christian organisations work for religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue around the world

  • The Bible says, ‘Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters’ (Romans 14:1-4)

The church and a multi-faith society

The response of the church to a multi-faith society

• A multi-faith society is one where people practice different religions and beliefs

• Christianity, particularly through the teachings of the Church, responds to this diversity with a focus on tolerance, respect, and dialogue

• The Church teaches that all people are made in the image of God, regardless of their religion, and should be treated with respect and dignity

  • Christians are encouraged to respect the beliefs of others, even if they do not agree with them. This is in line with Jesus’ teaching to love your neighbour (Matthew 22:39)

• The Church encourages dialogue between different faiths to promote understanding, peace, and harmony

  • Many Christian denominations are involved in interfaith initiatives to build better relationships with people of other religions

  • Dialogue helps Christians understand other religions better and fosters a peaceful coexistence

  • The Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church (1962-1965), through the document ‘Nostra Aetate,’ recognised the importance of dialogue and collaboration with other faiths, especially Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism

• The Church believes in promoting peace and harmony in a society where people from different faiths live together

  • It encourages working together for common good, especially on issues like poverty, social justice, and environmental care

  • Christians are urged to avoid religious conflict and instead work with people of other faiths to solve common problems

  • The Bible says, ‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone’ (Romans 12:18)

• The Church supports religious freedom, meaning everyone should have the right to practice their faith freely without fear of persecution or discrimination and this is especially important in a multi-faith society

  • The Church encourages individuals to share their Christian faith in a respectful and non-coercive way, while also respecting others' rights to do the same

  • Many Christian denominations are involved in organisations that promote human rights and religious freedom, such as Christian Aid

• While the Church encourages respect and peace, it also teaches that Christians should be witnesses of their faith

  • This means sharing the Christian message but doing so in a way that respects others' beliefs

  • Evangelism is encouraged, but Christians are taught to avoid being forceful or disrespectful when sharing their faith in a multi-faith society

• The Church recognises that a multi-faith society presents both challenges and opportunities

  • The challenges include dealing with religious differences and misunderstandings, but the opportunities involve learning from other religions and working together for a better society

  • The Church encourages Christians to engage with other faiths in a way that promotes mutual respect and understanding

Benefits and challenges for Christians of a multi-faith society

Benefits for Christians in a Multi-Faith Society

• Living in a multi-faith society allows Christians to learn about and understand other religions

  • This can foster respect and tolerance between people of different faiths

• It provides opportunities for interfaith dialogue, where Christians can engage in discussions with people of other faiths to promote mutual understanding

• Christians can work with people of other faiths to address shared social issues, such as poverty, environmental problems, and human rights

  • This helps build a more harmonious society where everyone works for the common good

• In a multi-faith society, Christians have opportunities to share their faith with people from other religious backgrounds

  • By practising their beliefs openly and respectfully, Christians can witness to others and potentially bring more people to faith

• Christians can learn valuable insights from other religions

  • For example, other faiths might have different perspectives on issues such as ethics, spirituality, or social justice, which can enrich a Christian's understanding of their own beliefs

Challenges for Christians in a Multi-Faith Society

• A major challenge is the potential for misunderstandings or misinterpretations of different beliefs

  • This can lead to conflicts or tensions between Christians and people of other faiths

  • There may also be prejudices or stereotypes about Christianity from people of other religions, which can make peaceful coexistence difficult

• In a society with many different religions, Christians may find it challenging to maintain their faith and values while respecting the beliefs of others

  • Religious pluralism may sometimes lead to questions about the uniqueness of Christianity, and some Christians may feel pressure to compromise on their beliefs or practices in order to fit in with the wider society

• In some multi-faith societies, Christians might face persecution or discrimination because of their faith

  • This can be particularly true in countries where the dominant religion is different from Christianity

  • Christians might struggle to express their beliefs freely or might face hostility because of their faith

• Differences in religious beliefs can sometimes lead to conflicts or disputes

  • In some cases, Christians might feel the pressure of competing religious ideas and could be drawn into debates or disputes about which faith is the ‘true’ one

Christian responses to non-religious arguments about religious freedom

Humanist and atheist views about religious freedom

• Humanists and atheists have their own perspectives on religious freedom

• While both support the right to religious freedom, their views are shaped by their beliefs about religion and society

• Humanists believe in the right of individuals to practice any religion or none at all

  • They strongly support freedom of belief as a fundamental human right

  • Humanists argue that everyone should have the freedom to follow their own beliefs, whether religious or non-religious, as long as it does not harm others

• Humanists typically advocate for the separation of religion and government

  • They believe that government and laws should be based on reason, evidence, and human welfare, not religious ideas

  • They argue that religious groups should not have special privileges in government and that policies should be made for the common good of all people, regardless of their religious beliefs

• Humanists are concerned about the potential for religious groups to coerce people into following a particular religion

  • They believe that religious freedom should include the right to not be forced to follow a religion, and individuals should be free to change their beliefs without fear of persecution or discrimination

• Humanists often tie religious freedom to broader human rights issues, such as the right to equality and freedom from discrimination

  • They believe that a society that protects religious freedom also helps protect other fundamental human rights

• Atheists generally support the right to religious freedom because they believe that people should have the freedom to believe or not believe in anything they choose

  • Atheism itself is the lack of belief in gods or a higher power, so atheists often advocate for freedom of thought and expression, including the freedom to reject religion

• Many atheists argue that religious groups should not have the right to impose their beliefs on others, particularly in areas like government, education, or laws

  • They believe in freedom from religious influence in public life, supporting secularism to ensure that policies and decisions are based on logic, evidence, and fairness, not religion

• Atheists are concerned about the protection of non-religious individuals in a religiously dominated society

  • They believe that people should not face discrimination or prejudice because they do not follow a religion

• Some atheists are concerned that religious extremism can limit personal freedoms, such as the freedom to live openly as an atheist or to express beliefs that contradict the teachings of a religion

  • They argue that religious freedom should not extend to actions that harm others or infringe on their rights

Christian responses to non-religious arguments about religious freedom

• Christians believe that religious freedom is important because God gave humans the freedom to choose their beliefs

• Christians are taught to love and respect others, which includes respecting their right to believe or not believe in any religion

• While supporting secularism to avoid religious control over the state, some Christians believe that Christian values should influence laws and policies

• Some Christians worry that religious freedom may be misused to justify actions that go against their moral beliefs

• Many Christians see religious freedom as closely linked to human rights and justice, advocating for the protection of all individuals' right to practice their faith

• Christians encourage respectful dialogue with non-religious groups to promote understanding and peace