Religious Freedom Internationally
In its international editions, Freedom has also championed causes for religious freedom abroad. The focus of Freedom’s coverage has been to investigate and inform readers of underlying motives for discrimination and persecution—with the view that facts and education are the best weapon against bigotry.
Particularly in Europe, Freedom has sought to assist members of government, religions, media and the public to exercise principles of religious equality. In many respects, European nations are still grappling with the concept. In a democracy, any religion, in theory, can attain equal standing with other religions—hence equal treatment from the state—by achieving religious recognition from the government. In most European countries, however, the procedures for recognition heavily favor those religions which conform to the doctrines and structure of the traditional churches—which in many cases are also the state churches. In other words, religious equality means conformity with the established churches, and others need not apply.
Freedom has examined the disparate treatment of religions in countries where the closeness of church and state has suffocated diversity of religious expression. Comprehensive coverage was given to the issue of bias in the Danish system, where state recognition of newer religions was being adjudicated by the state (Lutheran) church. Daily news media reported on Freedom’s stories, furthering public discussion of the issue. When a Hindu congregation was denied recognition, Freedom’s voice was heard contesting the approval process. In 1997, the Danish government changed their procedure, and today, minority religions seeking recognition are reviewed by an independent panel of religious experts.
In similar circumstances, Freedom examined a debate in the United Kingdom over the denial of religious recognition to the Pagans—a religion older than Britain itself—and has helped to bring about more contemporary views on matters of religious equality.
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