by Joseph Richard Preville
Humans are spiritual creatures who thrive best when they enjoy the freedom to express their fundamental dignity
More than 60 years ago, the United Nations adopted "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights' (December 10, 1948). "Everyone', it declared, "has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion'. This humanitarian principle is now under global assault, according to The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
The alarming reality of religious intolerance in the world is cause for serious study. An excellent place to start is The Future of Religious Freedom: Global Challenges (Oxford University Press, 2013). This new book is edited by Allen D Hertzke, presidential professor of political science at the University of Oklahoma. Hertzke was educated at Colorado State University, Cornell University and The University of Wisconsin - Madison.
He is the author of many books, such as Freeing God's Children: The Unlikely Alliance for Global Human Rights (2004) and Representing God in Washington (1988). Hertzke has appeared on CCN, BBC World Service, PBS, and he has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, London Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and USA Today.
The Future of Religious Freedom is a showcase of 15 brilliant essays on religious freedom by leading experts from around the world. In his introduction to these essays, Hertzke notes that "protecting the freedom of conscience, belief, and practice is the best - perhaps the only - means of navigating the crucible of the twenty-first century: Living with our deepest differences in a shrinking world'. Allen D Hertzke discusses his new book in this exclusive interview.
What was the inspiration for your new book?
In 2009 the John Templeton Foundation asked me to organise a global symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, with a simple but daunting challenge: Assemble top scholars from around the world to focus on religious freedom, law, and social life. I was inspired by how that discussion illuminated critical issues facing the world today. So I enlisted those and other contributors to survey the global religious scene, from China to Russia, Europe, and the Middle East. This volume illustrates how religious freedom contributes to inter-religious harmony, thriving societies, and global security, and applies these findings to the momentous issue of advancing freedom and democracy in Islamic cultures.
How is religious freedom under a growing threat around the world today?
As documented in the book, some 75 per cent of the world's population lives in countries with high restrictions on religion. These restrictions come from government actions and social hostilities, most commonly against religious minorities. According to major reports by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, these restrictions have grown from 2009 to 2012. While sobering, this reality produces a strategic opportunity for policy makers, religious authorities, and civil society leaders to protect the freedom of conscience and religious practice as the best means of navigating the crucible of the 21st Century: Living with our differences in a shrinking world.
How is religious conflict an obstacle to global peace and security?
Several of the contributors in this volume document how repression of religion produces religious conflict, which in turn threatens global peace and security. For example, Brian Grim provides statistical evidence for the relationship between violations of religious freedom and political instability and violence. Tom Farr observes how expansion of religious freedom can "drain the swamps' that nurture religion-based terrorism and strife. And others develop the links between religious freedom, democracy, and regional stability.
Does your book offer practical ways for political leaders to promote religious liberty?
Yes. International law expert Cole Durham provides expansive recommendations for better laws and constitutional provisions. Anthony Gill discusses how political leaders can enhance incentives for religious pluralism. Ahmet Kuru provides a roadmap for how to achieve true state neutrality in the treatment of religious communities. Binnaz Toprak suggests ways to address social repression. Others offer guidance for diplomats, religious leaders, and advocates.
What role should the United Nations play in challenging Islamophobia and other forms of religious bigotry?
The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief can highlight abuses of religious freedom. The Human Rights Commission of the UN can and has issued important reports on the status of religious minorities. In terms of challenging Islamophobia and other forms of religious bigotry, the most effective way is to ensure that all religious communities are treated equally under the law. Our book shows that religious intolerance flows from efforts to regulate and repress religious practice. When all are treated equally in law and society, resentments, rivalries, and bigotry recede.
Why is the "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights' (1948) a document of enduring importance?
The Universal Declaration is one of the great documents of the Twentieth Century. Article 18 provides the timeless principles underlying this book:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance'.
We are witnessing a historic convergence of high-level research and events on-the-ground that underscore a timeless insight: Humans are spiritual creatures who thrive best and most harmoniously when they enjoy the freedom to express their fundamental dignity.
How can we all support "heroes of conscience' in our own communities?
One of the important findings in this book is that threats to one vulnerable community will inevitably imperil others.
So as citizens, teachers, religious leaders, and political authorities we must speak on behalf of victims of repression, violence, or discrimination. Those who heroically defend freedom of
conscience, often at great personal risk, are buoyed when others abide with them in their struggle.
[Joseph Richard Preville is Assistant Professor of English at University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia]
