Banning God in public places
There seems to emerge in places like the US a certain strain of religious freedom thatś highly controversial, to say the least.
Instead of promoting religion—any kind as long as the minimum requirements for peaceful common living are met—they are banning any mention and references to God and his images in public places, because according to them, these already go against the rights and freedom of some people. As if there can ever be a totally religion-free society!
I know that we have different, and even conflicting ideas and views, but I could not figure out how praying in public schools, putting religious images in office buildings, making the sign of the cross, etc., especially if a good number of the parties involved so desire it, could already be held as an infraction of freedom.
In Europe, for example, they are now prohibiting the display of crucifixes in public places.
If some people do not like these, they can always ignore them and do something else, just as those who believe in some religion have to respect the ways of those of who do not believe in any. But what we cannot do is to prevent people from expressing their beliefs in public. That in itself is already against freedom.
This new unfortunate development is putting God in the same category as smoking in confined public places and some forms of public display of affection if not of indecency in public places. God has become a strictly private and personal affair should not be given public expression.
I also learned the other day that in Australia recently, they held a festival of dangerous ideas, and together with the different ideologies, the Catholic faith was also included, represented by a Cardinal who tried to defend the Church.
Things are now getting exciting in the world! We have to know how to handle these problems and challenges well. We have to continue to clarify and engage different parties in a dialogue that hopefully will always be conducted in charity and understanding and with eagerness to know the truth.
I don´t think it would do us well if we choose to disregard this question.
At the moment, what seems relevant is to define religious freedom. What does it really mean? What does it entail?
To me, religious freedom is the most basic of our freedoms. I would even dare to say itś the mother freedom. All other aspects of freedom flow from it.
Itś where the fundamental exercise of our conscience is made, the one that tries to give us an over-all picture of who we are, where we come from and where we are supposed to head. In short, it gives us our origin and end, defines us and gives meaning to all the happen in our life.
Different people, of course, have varying understanding of this religious freedom. Even the professed atheist has, in a way, his own idea of religious freedom, since regardless of his allergy to anything religious, he maintains some core beliefs and convictions that comprise his religion.
Thus, we have to distinguish between the subjective religious freedom and the objective religious freedom that can only come about after so much study, insights, experience, etc., among ourselves. We should do nothing to hamper this process.
Our whole life here on earth, in a way, can be described as an effort to discover the authentic religious freedom meant for all. Its ultimate purpose, seen from a different angle, can be that. This religious freedom is like a hunt for the true God, whatever and whoever he may be.
Already in history and in the different cultures, several religions have arisen with their own systems of beliefs and doctrine. Let there be a way to coexist among themselves and to engage in a healthy exchange that would help all to be enlightened without compromising oneś freedom.
Thus, we need to be respectful of one another and be endlessly patient. But the dialogue has to continue, and ought not to be stopped by some arbitrary rules. Making those laws forbidding the harmless public expression of religion should be avoided.
Obviously, proselytism and apostolate cannot be avoided, since it is in the very nature of oneś religion, whatever it may be, to share what one has. But all this should follow certain basic rules to keep peace and harmony in our dynamic and fast-changing world. (Fr. Cimagala is the Chaplain of Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City. Email: roycimagala@gmail.com)
