We should applaud the European Union for recognising the right to freedom *from* religion

[cbayer]

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2013/07/we-should-applaud-the-european-union-for-recognising-the-right-to-freedom-from-religion/

Published: JULY 8, 2013
Hari Srinivasan is a London-based news junkie and wannabe current affairs writer

Amidst all the hoopla in the United Kingdom about ‘losing rights to Brussels’, a predominantly biased anti-EU media fraternity has ignored a monumental step taken by the European Union towards the protection of secular rights.

On June 24, the Council of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council adopted a set of guidelines in Luxembourg that, along with recognising the age-old ‘right to freedom of religion or belief’ as a fundamental right of every human being (from Articles 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights & the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), ushered in a new era of recognising humanist and atheistic rights to speech on religious topics.

The Council, in its reason for action, stated:

“Persons who change or leave their religion or belief, as well as persons holding non-theistic or atheistic beliefs should be equally protected, as well as people who do not profess any religion or belief.”

Furthermore, what is noteworthy is the vast spectrum of irreligious speech that the Council has motioned to protect under these guidelines by strongly stating:

“The EU will recall, when appropriate, that the right to freedom of religion or belief, as enshrined in relevant international standards, does not include the right to have a religion or a belief that is free from criticism or ridicule.”

more at link

[hrmjustin]

1. This is definately a good thing.

[idwiyo]

2. K&R

[trotsky]

3. Repeated for emphasis:

“The EU will recall, when appropriate, that the right to freedom of religion or belief, as enshrined in relevant international standards, does not include the right to have a religion or a belief that is free from criticism or ridicule.”

Many people are shunned, attacked, and/or called names right here on DU for criticizing and yes, sometimes ridiculing religious beliefs. I hope those looking to silence individuals from speaking their minds openly will pause and reflect on this statement. Declaring certain beliefs or opinions exempt from fully open discussion hurts us all.