Religious freedom is a human right, argues new report

A new report defending the right to religious freedom has been released on the same day as the House of Lords debates two British Humanist Association publications on secularism and the separation of church and state.

In the report, Free To Believe?, Oxford Professor Roger Trigg argues that human beings are naturally religious animals who therefore possess a natural right to exercise their religion.

"If religious freedom is itself one of the most important rights, it must itself by the same token be entitled to equal respect from others. It cannot automatically be overridden in a clash of such rights,” he writes in the report.

Professor Trigg pays tribute to the importance of Christianity in establishing the rights which people in Britain currently enjoy.

"The role of religion in public life and the scope and limits of religious freedom cannot be decided simply by the democratic will of the people. The right to religious freedom is itself a basic right."

The report was compiled on behalf of theology think tank, Theos, in response to what it called the “silent downgrading of religious rights in contemporary Britain”.

The think tank said the natural right to freely exercise religion should not simply be equated with the right to free speech.

The release of the report has been timed to coincide with the debate in the House of Lords today on British Humanist Association publications, ‘The Case for Secularism’ and ‘Quality and Equality’.

Naomi Phillips, BHA Head of Public Affairs, said the lack of church-state separation in the UK was threatening basic freedoms and rights.

She said it was “frightening” the rate at which the provision of public services was being handed over to religious organisations and criticised the exemptions they enjoy from parts of equality and human rights laws.

The debate comes a day after the Government announced a new £1 million fund to help faith groups get their voices heard by Government and strengthen their public service provision.

The fund was unveiled by Communities Secretary John Denham at a conference attended by 180 faith leaders in central London and has been welcomed by Evangelical Alliance General Director Steve Clifford.

“We’re delighted that the Communities Secretary clearly values the unique experience and creativity that faith groups bring to local communities,” he said.

“As committed citizens we cherish the opportunity to partner with the state for the benefit of all. We thank and commend the Government for recognising the key motivating role of our beliefs, whilst backing their faith in us with financial support.”