Religious Freedom around the World

America is the land of the free. I have listened to the national anthem at least a thousand times, and I have always noticed how the crowd cheers and claps the moment the word "free" is sung. There is something special about freedom, and every country should fight for freedom. I am not saying a country should be completely free, for there are limitations all around the world, including the USA. Thanks to the "Social Contract, influenced by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, there are times people must give up some of their rights for the benefit of society" (Carrin 917). For example, whenever the traffic lights turn red, the drivers approaching the lights must come to a complete stop, or else a catastrophe would take place. Nonetheless, a country full of regulation and no human rights is prison. 

In comparison to other countries America does value religious freedom. America is the land of the free because it fights for people to be able to worship, pray, and express themselves whenever they please. Unfortunately, there are countries that do not offer such religious freedom. "In China, Burma, Pakistan, Egypt, and Sudan people face intense persecution and can go to prison for having a certain religion" (Cardall 33). It is everyone's right to be able to express themselves and feel free. The countries that do not offer religious freedom are prohibiting human beings to be themselves. It is time for "nations to understand how this fundamental human right works" (Cardall 33).

According to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, it is illegal to deprive individuals their religious rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the world's nations, affirms in the article 18 that everyone "has the right to freedom, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or believe in order either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance'' (Drinan 20). The International Religious Freedom Act clearly demands that there be religious freedom all around the world. Then why are countries like China, Sudan, and Pakistan still abusing religious freedom rights?

Works Cited

Cardall, Duane. "Religious Freedom an Overlooked Topic." Masthead 54.4 (2002): 33.

Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Jul. 2013.

Carrin, Guy J. "Rousseau's "Social Contract": Contracting Ahead Of Its Time?." Bulletin Of The World Health Organization 84.11 (2006): 917-918. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 June 2013.

 

Drinan, Robert F. "Survey Documents Religious Freedom Abuses." National Catholic Reporter

         35.43 (1999): 20. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 June 2013.