Freedom of religion and belief and interfaith dialogue are not often the subject of the same discussion. However, their respective purposes and goals are intrinsically linked.

Religions play an integral role in contemporary global affairs and are increasingly being perceived with a sense of urgency. Good things happen in history when the will of believing people is channeled and directed towards the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality for all. Where freedom of religion and belief is protected by governments, promoted by institutions, and valued by citizens, religion-based violence, repression, and terrorism will not take root. In this sense, freedom of religion is an antidote to terrorism, especially religion-based terrorism, because it encourages a theological and political awareness of the need to accept the "other." To discriminate against religious beliefs, or to discredit religious practice, is exclusion contrary to respect for fundamental human dignity that will eventually destabilize society by creating a climate of tension, intolerance, opposition, and suspicion not conducive to social peace.

A religion’s recognition of the necessity of freedom of religion and belief indicates the theological centrality that every individual has value and worth. In truth, religious freedom is at the heart of the basic beliefs and theologies of every major global faith.

In this way, religious freedom and interfaith dialogue are intrinsically united. As Pope John Paul II stated, “If one considers the many factors contributing to peace and justice in the world, one is struck by the ever increasing importance, under their particular aspect, of the wide-spread aspiration that all men and women be guaranteed equal dignity in sharing material goods, in effectively enjoying spiritual goods, and consequently in enjoying the corresponding inalienable rights.”

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits. The right to religious freedom, as enunciated by the Second Vatican Council, “has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person as this dignity is known through the revealed word of God and by reason itself.” Pope John Paul II further elucidated: “Respect for human dignity finds one of its highest expressions in religious freedom.” And again while in India, His Holiness pointed out that “If this most basic of rights is denied, then the whole edifice of human dignity and freedom is shaken."

The political and legal availability of religious freedom is often hampered by the involvement, interference or outright objection by religious institutions. Further, it is hampered by the theological misunderstandings of religious freedom according to one’s own faith tradition.

In order to advance the theological, political, and legal protections of freedom of religion and belief, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center have engaged in a process of transitional dialogue on freedom of religion.


Common Misconceptions

The theological misperceptions among members – and even leaders – of faith traditions regarding their own beliefs on freedom of religion and belief requires a thorough internal discussion and examination by faith communities.

Under the auspices of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, parallel meetings of members of respective faiths (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox Christian, Jain, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, etc) meet to engage in an “intra-faith dialogue” on freedom of religion and belief.

Meeting monthly, the intra-faith encounters will explore their faith’s theological, spiritual, and practical approaches to religious freedom, with the expected final goal of a unified position on the issue for the faith that will allow each respective community to move to a guided inter-faith dialogue process.


Common Paths

Once again under the auspices of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, the same respective faith traditions will transition from the intra-faith dialogue into an inter-faith dialogue on freedom of religion.

As Pope John Paul II stated in Redemptoris Missio, “Believers, while remaining faithful to their own religious convictions and without falling into false irenicism, can and should engage in a truthful, humble and frank dialogue with the followers of other religious traditions, in order to eliminate intolerance and misunderstanding.”

This process of interfaith dialogue on religious freedom will permit an ongoing engagement among faiths and beliefs on an all areas, issues, and trends of religious freedom and built on the foundations discovered, formed and framed in the intrafaith process.

Dialogue for its own sake achieves little, but this process will permit the participating traditions to work toward a common understanding and working capacity on the issue of religious freedom.

Pope John Paul stated most appropriately that “Only through interreligious dialogue can the powerful role of religious faith be placed at the service of peace through the elimination of prejudice and intolerance, to the glory of God in whose oneness we all believe.”