Judaism & Religious Freedom (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B) : Revision Note

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

    • 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

  • 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

What does Judaism teach about religious freedom?

• Judaism teaches the importance of respecting others, including those who follow different faiths

• While Judaism is the central faith for Jews, the Torah encourages kindness and understanding towards people of all religions

  • The idea of ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:18) applies to everyone, regardless of their faith

• The Story of Esther (Book of Esther) is important to Jews because in the story Jews are threatened with annihilation simply because of their faith

  • Esther’s actions highlight the importance of standing up for the right to freely practice one’s religion without fear of persecution

• In Jewish tradition, everyone has the right to choose their own beliefs

• Judaism does not force anyone to follow its teachings but encourages people to seek truth and live a moral life

  • The Torah speaks about people of different nations and religions, acknowledging that people outside of Judaism can also live good, ethical lives

• Throughout history, Jews have often faced persecution because of their faith

  • This experience has made them particularly sensitive to the importance of religious freedom for all people

  • Jews believe that God gave people free will to choose their path, and this includes choosing their religion

• Jewish law (Halakhah) allows Jews to live and interact with people of other religions, as long as their own beliefs and practices are not compromised

  • However, Judaism also teaches that Jews should remain faithful to their own religious practices and should not be forced to abandon their faith

How do Jews respond to a Multi-faith Society?

• A multi-faith society is a society where multiple religions coexist

• Jews support tolerance and peaceful coexistence with people of different religions, recognising that others can also lead good, moral lives

  • The Talmud says, ‘The world is built on three things: 

    • justice

    • truth

    • peace’

  • Judaism teaches that promoting peace with people of other faiths is very important

• Judaism believes that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)

  • This teaches Jews to respect all human beings, regardless of their faith, because everyone is valued by God

• Many Jewish communities engage in interfaith dialogue to promote mutual respect, understanding, and shared values, such as justice and compassion

• Jews remain faithful to their own faith and laws but respect the right of others to follow their beliefs, promoting peaceful coexistence

What are the Benefits for Jews of a Multi-faith Society?

• There are many benefits for Jews of living in a multi-faith society

  • A multi-faith society promotes respect and understanding between different religious groups, reducing prejudice

  • Jews can freely practise their religion without fear of discrimination, ensuring religious freedom

  • A multi-faith society supports common values like justice, compassion, and respect, benefiting everyone

  • It encourages dialogue between faiths, fostering mutual understanding and stronger relationships

  • Religious rights, like observing Shabbat or celebrating Jewish festivals, are protected in a multi-faith society

  • It encourages peaceful coexistence, allowing Jews to live alongside others without conflict

What are the Challenges for Jews of a Multi-faith Society?

• While supporting a multi-faith society, Jews can face challenges when living with others who have different beliefs

  • In a multi-faith society, there can be misunderstandings about Jewish beliefs and practices, which may lead to prejudice or stereotyping

  • Jews may face antisemitism in a multi-faith society which can include hate speech, violence, or negative stereotypes

  • It can be challenging for Jews to maintain their identity and stay true to their religious practices, like keeping Shabbat or following dietary laws

  • Jews may feel isolated due to cultural differences or a lack of understanding of Jewish customs and festivals, which can make them feel excluded from the wider community

  • In some cases, religious tensions between different groups can arise, creating challenges for Jews in maintaining peaceful relations with others

  • In a society that is becoming more secular, there may be less respect for religious practices or a lack of support for Jewish festivals

What are Humanist attitudes to religious freedom?

• Humanists believe in the right to freedom of belief and support religious freedom for all, as long as it does not harm others

  • They argue that everyone should be able to practice or not practice any religion without interference

  • Humanists value freedom of thought and believe that people should be free to make their own decisions about beliefs, based on reason and evidence

  • While they support religious freedom, Humanists argue that religious beliefs should not influence laws or public policy that affect everyone, regardless of their faith

What are Atheist attitudes to religious freedom?

• Atheists support religious freedom, but they would support a society where religion does not have a privileged position in government, education, or public life

  • They argue that people should be free to follow or reject religion, but they also argue for secularism, meaning that decisions about society should be neutral and not favour any religion

  • Atheists may be critical of religion if it is used to justify discrimination or restrict freedoms

  • They generally believe that reason and scientific evidence should guide decisions, rather than religious beliefs

Jewish Responses to Humanist and Atheist attitudes to religious freedom

• Judaism supports religious freedom, recognising everyone’s right to follow their beliefs, as God gave people free will

  • Jews would respect Humanist and Atheist beliefs, promoting the idea of loving your neighbour (Leviticus 19:18), even if they disagree on religion

  • While Jews respect secularism, they value their Jewish identity and traditions

    • They may feel concerned if secularism weakens religious influence in society, but appreciate the freedom to practise their faith

  • Jews are encouraged to follow Jewish law while being law-abiding citizens in a secular society, as long as the laws don’t conflict with Jewish values

  • Jews can and do engage with Atheists and Humanists to find common ground on ethical values like justice and compassion, even if they do not agree about  religious beliefs