Dear Muslim & Christian Friends,
I have been thinking a lot about this question: “What is freedom of religion?”
I mean, what does it really mean?
Is it freedom granted by the government where you live to practice your religion (as long as it does not harm others)?
Is it freedom for mosques to built in Europe and the United States but also churches to be built in Saudi Arabia?
Is it freedom to believe differently than your family, friends, or even your religious leaders?
Is it freedom for a Christian to study Islam, to read the Qur’an, to visit a mosque – in a search for truth?
Is it freedom for a Muslim to study Christianity, to read the Bible, to visit a church – in a search for truth?
Is it freedom for a Muslim to engage in dawa with a Christian or a Christian to engage in evangelism with a Muslim (as long as there is no pressure but rather sincere dialogue based on mutual respect, love, and honesty)?
Here is the really BIG question: is freedom of religion the freedom to choose your religion. . .to even change your religion?
Let’s take it a step further.
Should you have the right to choose. . .or to change. . .your religion without suffering negative or harmful repercussions from:
your family
your friends
your community
your government
your religious leaders
your mosque or church?
Freedom: no rejection, hatred, arrests, interrogation, torture, or imprisonment because of your choice or change in what you believe and practice.
Freedom: no one saying, “What?! You have become a ______________? You are not my son/daughter, wife/husband, brother/sister any more! You have shamed us. You must leave. Don’t ever come back!”
Freedom: no loss of property, job, education, spouse, children, personal freedoms or even. . .your life. . .because of your choice of what faith to follow.
This is one of my great passions for all people: freedom of religion.
Freedom to choose. . .freedom to change.
Everywhere. For every person.
My Muslim & Christian friends, what do you think about this kind of freedom?
Hi Ps ,mark ,You raise many points here.in my view of point Christians are most tolerant & humble on earth.It’s just because of Christ teachings.They giving space every thought of people even then atheists,Gays.
Buddhist,Hindus are also peaceful people. Christian countries gave nationality
thousands of Muslims.But they can not change their behaviors to other nations.Check
their Mental level in their own countries .for example they are not giving any space to us even our forefathers belong to this soil.They have in their mind they are superior from any nation & faith .So need to work on these lines & thoughts.I’m fifty year old & i know they will never change their thoughts.It’s my personal experience .GBU
I believe in freedom of religion. Being raised in the United States makes it natural for me to agree with this. I was raised to believe this core principle is a requirement for citizenship in our country. We have a moral principle to respect others who are different . We are raised to seek the truth and not be prohibited from questioning what we don’t understand, without fear of repercussion. Openness and honestly are part of having freedom of religion. But what happens when it is not reciprocated? I fear this freedom could be taken away from us.