Blog: Religious Freedom & Terrorism - ET

While thinking about the issues of a multi-faith society it became apparent to me that for society to function correctly and be successful it needs to be based on respect.

Religious freedom comes in here, religious freedom needs to be freely available to everyone. This also includes children, when they are old enough they need to have this freedom, they should have the freedom to choose follow to choose, follow or reject religion as they please.

However, for them to understand and respect this freedom, they need to understand different religions even if they have not chosen any of them, respect all it is vital; to the success of society, that they respect other's beliefs even if they are not religious themselves.  Respect is they key element here for a multi-faith society to function well.

And if people do not have religious freedom when they are young then they grow up to be adults who have no respect for religion and this is what causes us all the problems in society, so being taught of religions while still young helps society.

An example of how respect is not in play is how many biased people believe that all Muslims are terrorists which of course of wrong. After the 9/11 attack which was by Muslims, people wrongly discriminated against Muslims and to make this matter even worse if the attack was by white Americans not all white Americans would be discriminated against, so this proves that this discrimination is purely due to religion. So here is where our problem lies.

If people were educated to understand and respect religion there would be no problems, and our world-wide society would function so much better, and respect would be available to all.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the missionary task implies a respectful dialogue with those who do not yet accept the Gospel. Believers can profit from this dialogue by learning to appreciate the truth and grace which are found among peoples, and which are, as it were, a sacred presence of God.

This indicates that if people understood at least one religion in their lifetime then in their local society and in the world-wide society everyone would be happier and more respected and the world would be a better place for all.

E.T.