[Draft] Against Forced Conversion

[Tinfect]

Against Forced Conversion
Category: Moral Decency || Strength: Strong

Origin: Imperium of Tinfect,

Author: Tolarn Feren, Civil Oversight Representative

Imperial Division of Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Action

---

The World Assembly,

Appalled at the predilection within certain Member-States to make active efforts to destroy or otherwise impinge upon cultures other than their own,

Disgusted by the fact that certain Member-States abjectly refuse to consider cultural autonomy or the right of a people to self determination,

Concerned that individuals within Member-States may make use of the lack of laws on the subject matter to spread hateful and abusive ideas,

Hereby:

Prohibits:

1. Any and all missionary work, and any and all proselytism or conversion efforts not initiated by an individual seeking to convert.

OOC:
In response to an apparently ongoing tragedy regarding a (what I assume to be, given the lack of information about them,) uncontacted indigenous group and christian missionaries...

[Kenmoria]

“Assuming this is serious, why? I acknowledge that missionary work can and often has been harmful to indigenous groups, but there’s no reason why the concept of spreading religious beliefs in general is innately harmful. This proposal, for example, would ban flyers about the local church being posted on neighbourhood walls. Although there are a lot of problems with some elements of the practice, this seems to also prohibit benign forms of religion-spreading.”

[Bananaistan]

"Full, complete and utter support. We should have stamped out cultural and religious imperialism years ago."

“Assuming this is serious, why? I acknowledge that missionary work can and often has been harmful to indigenous groups, but there’s no reason why the concept of spreading religious beliefs in general is innately harmful. This proposal, for example, would ban flyers about the local church being posted on neighbourhood walls. Although there are a lot of problems with some elements of the practice, this seems to also prohibit benign forms of religion-spreading.”

"A poster on a wall is not missionary work, outreach or a conversion effort."

[Champagne Socialist Sharifistan]

"This is just another sign of World Assembly decadence, promoted by a rootless, soulless and tasteless organisation. It does not only prohibit forced conversion (a praiseworthy aim in itself) but actually restricts the freedom of speech these people claim to love"- Prince-Regent Khalid Suleiman Khan

[Terttia]

“In its current form, this is a draconian piece of legislation.”

[Morover]

"Beyond the fact that the title on the draft doesn't match the title that it says on the door to the drafting room, I agree with the Kenmorian delegation. While I may be generally supportive of such a proposal, I think that it needs to be limited to targeted conversion."
EDIT: Title now matches thread header, nevermind.

[Kenmoria]

"Full, complete and utter support. We should have stamped out cultural and religious imperialism years ago."

“Assuming this is serious, why? I acknowledge that missionary work can and often has been harmful to indigenous groups, but there’s no reason why the concept of spreading religious beliefs in general is innately harmful. This proposal, for example, would ban flyers about the local church being posted on neighbourhood walls. Although there are a lot of problems with some elements of the practice, this seems to also prohibit benign forms of religion-spreading.”

"A poster on a wall is not missionary work, outreach or a conversion effort."

“I would classify a poster of that nature as outreach, since it involves trying to get people not normally involved in religion to join a religion. If they were a definition of those terms that specified the words to a less broad collection of practices, then I would of course support this.”

[Old Hope]

General Assembly Resolution 27, ambassador. You should read it.

[Great Robertia]

General Assembly Resolution 27, ambassador. You should read it.

"Dear ambassador, surely you recognize the difference between peacefully and without harm to another sentient being expressing or promoting one's ideals or beliefs, and the forced conversion of sentient beings under the threat of violence or other harmful methods?

While the subject of this proposition - namely the banning of targeted forced conversion through missionary endeavors - is something the Imperial State of Great Robertia would wholeheartedly support, the current form of the proposal lacks some finesse, in my honest opinion. I have the impression it is strongly fueled by potent emotions, and might benefit from a more well-worded and level-headed approach."

[Old Hope]

General Assembly Resolution 27, ambassador. You should read it.

"Dear ambassador, surely you recognize the difference between peacefully and without harm to another sentient being expressing or promoting one's ideals or beliefs, and the forced conversion of sentient beings under the threat of violence or other harmful methods?

While the subject of this proposition - namely the banning of targeted forced conversion through missionary endeavors - is something the Imperial State of Great Robertia would wholeheartedly support, the current form of the proposal lacks some finesse, in my honest opinion. I have the impression it is strongly fueled by potent emotions, and might benefit from a more well-worded and level-headed approach."

I recognize that difference, yes. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation makes no such distinction, ambassador. I quote:

Bans any and all missionary work, and any and all religious outreach or conversion efforts not initiated by an individual seeking to convert.

.

[Great Robertia]

"Dear ambassador, surely you recognize the difference between peacefully and without harm to another sentient being expressing or promoting one's ideals or beliefs, and the forced conversion of sentient beings under the threat of violence or other harmful methods?

While the subject of this proposition - namely the banning of targeted forced conversion through missionary endeavors - is something the Imperial State of Great Robertia would wholeheartedly support, the current form of the proposal lacks some finesse, in my honest opinion. I have the impression it is strongly fueled by potent emotions, and might benefit from a more well-worded and level-headed approach."

I recognize that difference, yes. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation makes no such distinction, ambassador. I quote:

Bans any and all missionary work, and any and all religious outreach or conversion efforts not initiated by an individual seeking to convert.

.

"Indeed, it is why I have commented on this proposal's lack of finesse in that regard. A distinction is needed, if this proposal is to steer clear from contradicting existing laws. In this case, laws from the resolution you have quoted."

[The Reformed American Republic]

"Against. Banning forced religious conversions is one thing, but banning all missionary work is another."

[Old Hope]

I recognize that difference, yes. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation makes no such distinction, ambassador. I quote:
.

"Indeed, it is why I have commented on this proposal's lack of finesse in that regard. A distinction is needed, if this proposal is to steer clear from contradicting existing laws. In this case, laws from the resolution you have quoted."

The ambassador from Tinfect harbors an intense hatred on all forms of religion, ambassador. We do not doubt that the current scope of the resolution is consistent with their intentions.

[La Xinga]

Isn't this a duplication of GA 430?

[Old Hope]

Isn't this a duplication of GA 430?

OOC: It is a bad idea to assume the content of a resolution based on its title.

[The Reformed American Republic]

"Indeed, it is why I have commented on this proposal's lack of finesse in that regard. A distinction is needed, if this proposal is to steer clear from contradicting existing laws. In this case, laws from the resolution you have quoted."

The ambassador from Tinfect harbors an intense hatred on all forms of religion, ambassador. We do not doubt that the current scope of the resolution is consistent with their intentions.

"Indeed. They'd probably try to use the WA to ban religion if it didn't conflict with other popular WA resolutions like Freedom of Religion. "

[2nd Spanish Republic (Ancient)]

This is draconian. It is one thing to ban forced conversation but banning missionary work altogether only limits freedom of expression and right to practice a religion.

[La Xinga]

Isn't this a duplication of GA 430?

OOC: It is a bad idea to assume the content of a resolution based on its title.

I know, but the title and the context don't match.

[The Reformed American Republic]

OOC: It is a bad idea to assume the content of a resolution based on its title.

I know, but the title and the context don't match.

"By design ambassador. It's meant to restrict religious freedom under the guise of protecting rights."

[The Reformed American Republic]

"Full, complete and utter support. We should have stamped out cultural and religious imperialism years ago."

“Assuming this is serious, why? I acknowledge that missionary work can and often has been harmful to indigenous groups, but there’s no reason why the concept of spreading religious beliefs in general is innately harmful. This proposal, for example, would ban flyers about the local church being posted on neighbourhood walls. Although there are a lot of problems with some elements of the practice, this seems to also prohibit benign forms of religion-spreading.”

"A poster on a wall is not missionary work, outreach or a conversion effort."

"A poster on a wall is a religious group reaching out and thus can be interpreted as in violation of this proposal. In addition, a poster, billboard, etc that tries to convert someone or promote a religion would also be banned due to how vague this is. This goes too far."

[Attempted Socialism]

“Assuming this is serious, why? I acknowledge that missionary work can and often has been harmful to indigenous groups, but there’s no reason why the concept of spreading religious beliefs in general is innately harmful. This proposal, for example, would ban flyers about the local church being posted on neighbourhood walls. Although there are a lot of problems with some elements of the practice, this seems to also prohibit benign forms of religion-spreading.”

"Is there any kind of benign religion-spreading? At best, it is a manacle upon the mind, a prison that rejects thought if it could possibly contradict doctrine, and at worst it teaches absolute horrors. There is not a majority in the World Assembly for banning religion outright, but at least we can improve on public welfare and promote education by only allowing those who seek to be indoctrinated to be converted. Religion is taught in school alongside real subjects anyway, so anyone convinced by the... err... let us be charitable and call them religious 'arguments'," the Ambassador sneered with airquotes, "will know how to sell their freedom and rationality. Nothing is lost for those who want to be converted, much is gained for society."
The Ambassador paused for effect before continuing.
"Needless to say, we are for."

[Bananaistan]

OOC: GAR#27 is a red herring. There’s nothing in it that protects getting other people to join your assembly/association.

[Old Hope]

OOC: GAR#27 is a red herring. There’s nothing in it that protects getting other people to join your assembly/association.

OOC:
GAR 27:

1.) All individuals shall have the right to peacefully assemble, associate, and protest to promote, pursue, and express any goal, cause, or view.

This proposal:

Bans any and all missionary work, and any and all religious outreach or conversion efforts not initiated by an individual seeking to convert.

You do not see the problem?

[Bananaistan]

OOC: GAR#27 is a red herring. There’s nothing in it that protects getting other people to join your assembly/association.

OOC:
GAR 27:

1.) All individuals shall have the right to peacefully assemble, associate, and protest to promote, pursue, and express any goal, cause, or view.

This proposal:

Bans any and all missionary work, and any and all religious outreach or conversion efforts not initiated by an individual seeking to convert.

You do not see the problem?

OOC: There is no problem.

That clause does not protect promotion, pursuit or expression of goals etc. It protects people assembling, associating or protesting with the aim of promoting etc. An important distinction.

[Old Hope]

OOC:
GAR 27:

This proposal:


You do not see the problem?

OOC: There is no problem.

That clause does not protect promotion, pursuit or expression of goals etc. It protects people assembling, associating or protesting with the aim of promoting etc. An important distinction.

OOC: People have the right to assemble to promote a religion. This means you may not stop them doing so.