Elements of Intolerance
The elements of religious intolerance in Europe were well defined in Warsaw late last year by the United States and European Delegations to the annual conference of the OSCE, one of the most important bodies of the international human rights community. The delegates as well as non-governmental advisors at the 500-member conference pointed to two prominent signs of intolerance: new laws which intentionally hinder the free exercise of minority religions, and government “information centers” which, rather than information providers, are essentially propaganda agencies set up to provoke intolerance. In some cases they are not only extensions of the government, but also of the state religions which feel threatened by the growth of newer religions. Russia and Austria are prime examples of countries in which laws with respect to religion have been passed in violation of human rights commitments. The laws create two distinct classes of religious groups and favor traditional churches in acquiring legal status and privileges. The Russian law, signed into effect in September 1997, institutes harsh restrictions on all religious groups outside the Russian Orthodox Church—which receives full legal protection and state benefits—and traditional Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist denominations, which receive full legal protection but fewer state benefits. All other religious groups receive only a pro forma guarantee of freedom of worship and liberty of conscience.
Disarming the Intolerant continued...
| Previous | Glossary of Scientology Terms | Contents | Next |
| Your view on this Scientology Website | Scientology Related Sites | Bookstore | Church of Scientology Freedom Magazine |
editor@freedommag.org © 1999-2008 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.
