Warmest Regards,
Myron Stokov-Mercier, Distinguished Lawyer and Lead WA Counsel to the Losthavenite Delegation
Freedom of Religion
Category: Human Rights ~*~ Strength: Strong
The Member Nations of the World Assembly:
Recognizing that among the citizens, residents, and visitors of member nations, most have some sense of spiritual belief and many adhere to a practiced religion;
Conscious that the overwhelming majority of people view their religion as a means to better themselves, help others and their community, and provide moral guidance and ethical support;
Strongly opposed to the minority of people who practice radicalized religion as a mandate to harm others, terrorize society, or otherwise cause mayhem and destruction;
Convinced that all people have a natural right to seek spiritual fulfillment in the way most agreeable to themselves, so long as they do so in a manner that respects the rights of others;
Resolved that the right of every individual to freely seek spiritual fulfillment ought to be strongly protected;
Now, therefore, the General Assembly hereby:
1. Declares that all people within a member nation's jurisdiction have the right to hold, express, and follow whatever religious or spiritual beliefs they freely choose, so long as they do so in a manner that fully respects the rights of others; and clarifies that the aforementioned right includes the right to disavow and abstain from religion if a person so chooses.
2. Recognizes the right of member nations to declare an official state religion, and to encourage individuals within their jurisdiction to adopt that religion through means that are not coercive, overbearing, or otherwise designed to overcome freewill;
3. Further recognizes the right of religious organizations, communities, and churches existing within member nations to proselytize their faith, so long as in doing so they do not resort to intimidation, coercion, or other undue or overbearing influence;
4. Prohibits the denial of any right, privilege, immunity, or benefit - provided by government or otherwise - on the basis that a person does or does not hold a particular religious belief;
5. Requires that member nations refrain from unnecessary entanglement of government and religious functions so as to avoid religious discrimination by government and the appearance of impropriety;
6. Prohibits the resort to religion or spiritual belief to justify harming, injuring, or causing loss to another, and requires that all criminal laws be applied equally, fairly, and without regard to a person's particular religious belief or lack thereof;