Why do we have freedom of religion

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Home » « Your human rights » Freedom of religion or belief. On this page: Freedom of religion or belief. Article 9 in action. Nadia's story. Article 9 protects: the freedom to change religion or belief the freedom to exercise religion or belief publicly or privately, alone or with others the freedom to exercise religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance, and the right to have no religion to be atheist or agnostic or to have non-religious beliefs protected such as a belief in the need for urgent action to tackle climate change or philosophical beliefs such as pacifism or veganism.

Freedom of religion does not prevent there being state-approved religious institutions — such as the Church of England — but no one can be forced to join that church, be involved in its activities or pay taxes to it. To exert its positive influence, religious organizations and people need physical, social and legal space to practice their religion. All lawful voices should be heard in the public square.

Neither religious nor secular voices should be silenced. Religion is not just private worship; it involves public expression on social and moral issues. Religious freedom is as much a duty as it is a right. Religious freedom and civility depend upon each other and form a mutual obligation founded on the inherent dignity of each person. Religious organizations and people are responsible to state their views reasonably and respectfully.

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Download a photo or video by clicking or tapping on it. Public authorities cannot interfere with your right to hold or change your beliefs, but there are some situations in which public authorities can interfere with your right to manifest or show your thoughts, belief and religion.

This is only allowed where the authority can show that its action is lawful, necessary and proportionate in order to protect:.

The European Court of Human Rights has found that a person cannot be forced to demonstrate views or behaviour associated with a particular religion.

This means, for example, that public authorities should take care when using procedures that involve the swearing of oaths. A requirement to swear on a religious text, such as the Bible, would breach human rights law. Example taken from Human rights, human lives: a guide to the Human Rights Act for public authorities. This text is taken directly from the Human Rights Act. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching practice and observance.

A group of parents and teachers tried unsuccessfully to use Article 9 to overturn the ban on corporal punishment of children in schools.