"Secular freedom is having to do what you want to do. Religious freedom is wanting to do what you have to do." Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs.
A recent editorial in a Canadian Catholic weekly suggested that Canadian Catholics may be at risk of
losing their religious freedom. This is not only totally false but completely contradicts
the modern safeguards that are in place to guarantee all Canadians the safety
to practise their faith without any interference from the state or other
religious groups. When we allow our
conscience to be formed by God nothing can violate that or stand against
it. That same God will help us to
overcome any situations which could cause us any personal conflict. Institutional
rules and regulations should always follow the need to serve the greater good.
In the Western world, including Canada and the USA, the ‘Separation of
State and Church or Religion’ specifically provides for such freedom. While
such separation prevents the State from supporting any religion or from
interfering with it also obliges religion to leave the public sphere open to
all. When both sides respect the boundaries, secularism provides a framework
for freedom of conscience, tolerance and democracy. Secularism does not
guarantee human rights but it helps make them possible.
This is obviously a thorn in the side of the
American bishops who want direct control and influence over national policies
and politics (as they once did for centuries).
Is it because they want to introduce legislation that would criminalize abortion
and homosexuality, among other matters?
The fact that the Vatican is the only western nation that has refused to
sign the 2006 UN declaration that de-criminalizes homosexual behaviour should sound
alarm bells about the overall aims of these bishops. Are they opposing the implementation a
national health program to divert Catholics from their real objectives. Surely these bishops recognize that such a
health program is intended to serve the poorest of the poor? What then has happened to the Catholic understanding
about ‘the fundamental option of the poor’ when an estimated 40 million
American cannot afford basic health care?
According to official polls the vast majority of
Canadian Catholics are opposed to abortion in general.
But they also understand that there are exceptions under which abortion can
be allowed and approved. Who would write these guidelines, when the majority of
US bishops seem to demand that there cannot be any exceptions? What has happened to compassion and
understanding when these issues are presented in absolute terms? Nowhere in the bible will anyone find Jesus
accusing sinners of being ‘intrinsically evil/disordered, or in a state of
grave depravity’. Removing these terms from the current catechism would go a long
way to take away the very fuel homophobic bigots use to justify bullying in
school yards. Recognizing that homosexuality in some
countries is punishable by torture and death why does the Church still single
out homosexuals over all other sins? Why has the Vatican not signed the UN
declaration to decriminalize homosexuality?
At the very least should the Catholic Church not call for an end to these
brutal actions in countries which continue to view homosexuality as a crime?
The question of religious liberty or conscience is
being obfuscated when it is suggested that a relationship between God and a
person can somehow be restricted. God
gave us free choice should religious institutions not follow suit?
UPDATE: reported by The Tablet (UK) August 30/2012
Tunisia introduces blasphemy bill
30 August 2012
Christian and human rights groups have expressed concern about the ruling Islamist party in Tunisia introducing a Blasphemy Bill. It will make "insults, profanity, derision, and representation of Allah and Muhammad" punishable by up to two years in prison or a significant fine, with repeat offenders facing four years behind bars.
John Pontifex, from Aid to the Church in Need, a charity that helps persecuted Christians, warned that under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, extremists "take matters into their own hands and mete out ‘justice', committing heinous crimes against people whom they decide are guilty, totally ignoring due legal process".
The Barnabas Fund, which also assists Christians facing discrimination, noted that the introduction of the bill "indicates the increasing strength of Islam in public life in Tunisia, which before the Arab Spring was one of the most secular countries in the region."
Is this the kind of religious 'freedom', our bishops are hoping to implement?
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