From: Steve.Hayes@p5.f22.n7101.z5.fidonet.org (Steve Hayes)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african
Subject: Religious freedom in South Africa
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 03:58:00 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 5:7101/22.5 - Novell User Group, Pretoria RSA

Religious freedom 1 of 2

                       DRAFT DECLARATION

     ON THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RELIGIOUS PEOPLE

WE, REPRESENTATIVES OF MANY FAITHS IN SOUTH AFRICA,

 * recognise that our continent, Africa, is home to people of
   diverse faiths
 * believe that our religions teach the dignity and equality of
   all human beings and must therefore play a role in the crea-
   tion of a just social order
 * are convinced that it is essential for us to promote under-
   standing, respect and tolerance in matters of religion or
   belief, and reject any use of religion or belief that violates
   justice and human dignity
 * regret that in South Africa religious diversity has been used
   to sow conflict, and that religion has been used to contribute
   to the suffering, oppression and exploitation of people
 * acknowledge the courageous role played by many religious
   people in upholding the values of justice, peace and human
   dignity in the midst of repression and division
 * understand a religion, for the purpose of this declaration, to
   mean a group of people who, in their quest for ultimate mean-
   ing, hold common beliefs in transcendent and sacred reality,
   expressed in forms of worship, veneration, ethical norms, so-
   cial structures and customs.

WE THEREFORE

 * call upon the state to acknowledge religious diversity and a
   constitutionally recognised sphere of autonomy for religion
 * join together as people of different faiths to promote recon-
   ciliation and reconstruction, and call upon the state to com-
   mit its resources to this task
 * claim the following rights and commit ourselves to the follow-
   ing responsibilities:

1  People shall have the right to the free exercise of religion
1.1 People shall be free to have a religion or belief of their
    choice, save that the religion of children shall be
    determined by their parents, and no-one shall be coerced into
    accepting or practising any other belief
1.2 Everyone has a duty to practise and encourage tolerance and
    respect towards people of other beliefs
1.3 Everyone has the duty to refrain from causing harm to other
    persons because of religious convictions and practices
1.4 While people are free to hold personal religious convictions,
    the public expression of religion shall not violate the com-
    mon good of society or the rights of others
1.5 Religions and their members should devote their energy and
    talents to the service of their fellow South Africans
1.6 As the conscience of society, they should critically evaluate
    the actions of civil authorities at all levels

2  The state shall recognise and interact with all religions
2.1 A religion shall be entitled to recognition by the state on
    the recommendation of the interfaith advisory body (see point
    3.1 below)
2.2 The state shall not identify itself with any particular reli-
    gion, but shall consult and cooperate with religions in tasks
    of mutual concern and issues of national importance
2.3 The state shall guarantee to each religion the free exercise
    of spiritual authority among its members and jurisdiction in
    religious matters, provided this does not infringe on the
    provisions of the Bill of Rights and this declaration
2.4 The state shall uphold the professional confidentiality of
    ministers of religion concerning any information acquired in
    the course of their spiritual ministry
2.5 Religious authorities shall acquaint their members with their
    civic duties and the Bill of Rights
3  A formal link should exist between religions and the state
3.1 To facilitate the implementation of this declaration and to
    act as a formal link between religions and the state, an in-
    dependent interfaith advisory body should be established
3.2 Members of this body shall enjoy good standing within their
    own religions, and be commited to the interfaith movement
3.3 The body shall be appointed by the Human Rights Commission in
    consultation with the major religions of South Africa

4  Religions shall combat discrimination
4.1 Religions shall at all times remain self-critical, and
    eliminate discrimination and intolerance based on gender,
    race, language or social status within their own communities
4.2 Religions shall also oppose every form of exploitation and
    oppression in society at large

5  Religious education shall promote tolerance and justice
5.1 The objective of all religious education shall be to engender
    an understanding, appreciation and tolerance of all religious
    traditions and to promote the national goals of a democratic,
    nonracial and nonsexist South African society
5.2 Children shall enjoy the right to education in religion or
    belief in accordance with the wishes of their parents or
    guardians and shall not be compelled to receive any such
    teaching against the wishes of their parents or guardians
5.3 Parents, assisted by their religious communities, should ac-
    cept the primary responsibility for the faith development
    (religious instruction) of their children

6  Religion shall be taught in state schools
6.1 State schools should provide a multifaith religious education
    curriculum (religious studies) to foster respect for and ap-
    preciation of the various religions and worldviews. The deci-
    sion to offer such a curriculum shall remain the choice of
    the parents, teachers and administrators of each school
6.2 State schools that choose to implement a single-faith reli-
    gious education curriculum (religious instruction) should of-
    fer parallel but equal programmes which accommodate each of
    the faiths represented in the school, drawing on resources
    from the community
6.3 Educational authorities are responsible for ensuring that
    teachers have the knowledge and sensitivity needed to imple-
    ment the provisions of this declaration with regard to reli-
    gious education in state schools
6.4 State schools shall not be used as platforms for proselytisa-
    tion

7  Religious organisations may operate educational institutions
7.1 Religious groups and organisations shall be entitled to es-
    tablish and maintain their own schools and tertiary educa-
    tional institutions.
7.2 Such educational institutions shall have the right to state
    subsidies, provided that they comply with the academic norms
    laid down by the educational authorities.

8  Religion should be taught at tertiary level
8.1 Universities that offer theology/religious studies should in-
    clude the academic study of all religions
8.2 Each religious community shall be responsible for the profes-
    sional formation of its religious leaders
8.3 Tertiary educational institutions that provide religious
    studies courses should design the curriculums, train the
    teachers and write the textbooks for multifaith courses in
    state schools

continued ....



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