[DRAFT] Spiritual Freedom Act

[The United Planet]

I support this proposal.

[Abatael]

I support this proposal.

I do not support this proposal.

[Zaklen]

Opposed on the grounds that we will only provide funding to our official religion, and do not desire to stop doing so.

[Unibot II]

REQUIRES that any tax subsidy or benefit intended to promote or benefit a particular religious group be made available to all other religious groups and non-religious charitable groups;

Why should a program to help minority religions build appropriate institutions for worship which may not be considerably profitable, be counteracted with money thrown at dominant cash-cow religions in the area? Dominant groups already screaming about a "War on X", surely that's enough of a deterrence to help out minority religions solely, let alone it being a prohibited act.

On one hand, we could use our limited financial resouces to make sure areas with small, but noticeable members of a religious minority have a place of worship to make them comfortable in a area where they're excluded, reduce street violence and guide youths. Or alternatively, we can cut funding, because we can't expect to double/triple the funding or split the resources evenly which wouldn't leave enough to help the minority groups a lot who need it most.

[Zaklen]

One of my advisers has notified me that I misspoke in my previous statement. While Zaklen opposes this due to our desire to almost exclusively fund our official religion, a small portion of our gigantic spirituality budget goes to protecting the rights and freedoms of religious minorities who are not considered a threat to public safety.

[The United Planet]

I support this proposal.

I do not support this proposal.

Odd how we're friends and we don't agree on anything.

[Abatael]

I do not support this proposal.

Odd how we're friends and we don't agree on anything.

That is out of place, and does not belong in the halls of the World Assembly.

[The United Planet]

Odd how we're friends and we don't agree on anything.

That is out of place, and does not belong in the halls of the World Assembly.

Well to be fair apart that Apes = Humans Act.

[Abatael]

That is out of place, and does not belong in the halls of the World Assembly.

Well to be fair apart that Apes = Humans Act.

I am anthropocentric, so you should expect such beliefs from me.

[The United Planet]

Well to be fair apart that Apes = Humans Act.

I am anthropocentric, so you should expect such beliefs from me.

I didnt say I didn't.

[Abatael]

I am anthropocentric, so you should expect such beliefs from me.

I didnt say I didn't.

I never said you didn't either.

[The United Planet]

I didnt say I didn't.

I never said you didn't either.

Very True.

[Abatael]

I never said you didn't either.

Very True.

Verily true.

[Frisbeeteria]

Enough.

[Discoveria]

(OOC)

While I personally support the aims and effects of this proposal, Discoveria (in character) would take exception to the first clause, as the state does not agree that "all people should be free to adhere to whatever private spiritual or religious beliefs they find most fulfilling in their lives". Discoveria takes the view that a person's beliefs affect their behaviour, which is in the public sphere, and therefore the state is entitled to address/correct/demand justification for that person's beliefs as required to maintain order, etc. Discoveria would probably abstain unless a previous WA resolution has made this approach to personal beliefs illegal.

Incidentally, I note that GA#30: Freedom of Expression guarantees citizens the right to free expression, but it doesn't actually guarantee citizens the right to hold whatever beliefs they like, only the right to express whatever beliefs they hold...

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

It's a great idea, but define religion? Because if it's cultural belief informing moral values, all governments will support some cultural ideals more than others, and rightly so.

[Olinta]

Sounds good to me, although it kind of sounds like GA#30 (which Discoveria has mentioned).