Religious Freedom
You have the right to choose what you want to believe in, or not to believe at all. This is called religious freedom. Religious freedom is a human right, which means it is a right that all people have simply because they are human. In Norway, this right is also written into the Constitution, which contains the most important rules about how the country is governed and what rights we have.
But it has not always been like this, and in many parts of the world people still do not have religious freedom. In some countries, it is forbidden to change religion or to choose not to believe. People can be punished by the authorities because they belong to the “wrong” religion, or because they do not follow the religion the state expects.
In some countries, religion is strictly controlled by the state. Only some religious groups are allowed, and the authorities decide how religion can be practiced. For example, the state may decide what can be taught or who is allowed to be religious leaders. People who belong to unofficial religious communities may be monitored or punished.
In other contries, only a few religions are approved by the state. Other religious groups are not allowed to gather. This means that people cannot meet to pray or celebrate holidays together. Many believers have been imprisoned because they practice their faith.
Religious freedom also has limits. We cannot do whatever we want in the name of religion. In this text, we will explore what religious freedom means and where the boundaries lie.
This shows that a lack of religious freedom can look very different:
In some places, the state bans religion; in others, the state controls religion; and in some places, religious minorities are not protected.
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Trefigurer med symboler fra ulike religioner, som kors, halvmåne, davidsstjerne og om-tegn
What is religious freedom?
Religious freedom is also called freedom of belief and worldview. A worldview is a way of understanding life and the world, and it gives answers to questions like: What is the meaning of life? What is right and wrong? A worldview can be religious, such as Christianity or Islam, or non-religious, such as humanism. Religious freedom means that you have the right to choose what you want to believe in—or not to believe at all.
Religious freedom is about both what you think inside yourself and what you do. You have the right to have your own thoughts and opinions about belief. You also have the right to practice your beliefs alone or together with others. This can include praying, taking part in rituals, reading sacred texts, celebrating holidays, or following traditions that are important to you.
At school, religious freedom can mean, for example, that some students pray during breaks, celebrate different holidays than Christmas, or choose not to take part in certain activities for religious reasons. It can also mean that some students do not believe at all and do not want to take part in religious activities.
You also have the right to change your religion or worldview, and to not belong to any religion. This means that you should not be pressured to believe, and not pressured to stop believing. Being able to choose for yourself is an important part of religious freedom.
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En krystallkule ligger på et teppe av grønt gress
What can religious freedom look like in everyday life?
Religious freedom is not only about laws and rights. It is also shown in small choices in everyday life—in how people live their lives and how we treat each other.
In a class, this can mean, for example, that some students celebrate different holidays than you, fast for a period of time, pray at certain times, or follow rules about what they can eat. Some wear religious symbols or clothing, while others do not. Some go to church, a mosque, or other places of worship, while others never do. There are also children who, for religious reasons, do not celebrate birthdays or certain holidays.
Religious freedom means that these differences should be allowed, and that everyone should be able to be themselves without being pressured to do the same as others. It also means that no one should be teased, bullied, or left out because they believe differently.
Showing respect for other people’s choices is an important part of religious freedom. It does not mean that everyone has to agree, but that everyone should be allowed to live in their own way.
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Elever med ulik etnisk bakgrunn i klasserommet
You can show your beliefs – or not
How you choose to live with your religion or worldview is up to you. This applies whether you believe in God, Allah, Yahweh, Brahma or Vishnu, follow the teachings of Buddha, believe in Norse gods like Odin and Thor, or do not believe in anything religious at all.
Religious freedom means both the freedom to show your beliefs and the freedom not to. You can choose whether you want to wear religious clothing or symbols, such as a cross, hijab, or kippah—or not.
You can also choose whether you want to follow rules and traditions from sacred texts, such as the Bible, the Quran, the Talmud, or the Vedas. Some people pray together in a place of worship, some pray at home, and some do not pray at all.
In everyday life, religious freedom can, for example, be about what you eat in the cafeteria, whether you fast for a period of time, or which holidays you celebrate. It can also be about choosing not to do something, such as not wearing religious symbols or not taking part in religious activities.
Religious freedom means that it should be allowed to make these choices without being pressured, teased, or left out.
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En gruppe studenter med ulik bakgrunn spiser lunsj sammen
Changing your religion is also allowed
Religious freedom means that you can change from one religion to another, or choose not to believe at all. You can also change direction within the same religion.
Changing direction within one religion can, for example, mean that a Christian changes church denomination, such as from a Pentecostal church to the Church of Norway or a free church. It can also mean that a Muslim changes from Shia to Sunni. In many religions, there are different branches, traditions, and ways of practicing, even though people still belong to the same religion.
For some people, it is easy to change religion or direction. For others, it can be difficult. Beliefs and traditions are often closely connected to family, culture, and a sense of belonging. Because of this, such a choice can affect relationships with people around you.
That is why the right to choose for yourself is an important part of religious freedom. No one should be forced to keep a belief—or to change their belief—against their will.
The same religion – different directions
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En ung kvinne som sitter på setet ved vinduet og ser ut
Religious Freedom is a Human Right
Religious freedom is a human right. This means that all people have this right, no matter where they live or who they are.
In the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 states:
“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 teaching, practice, worship and observance.” (1948)
This means that you have the right to believe what you want inside yourself, and to show your beliefs through your actions—for example by praying, celebrating holidays, or taking part in religious gatherings, alone or with others.
When something is a human right, it means we have it simply because we are human. No authorities or other people are allowed to take this right away from us.
Religious freedom is also part of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 14 states:
“Children have the right to think and believe what they want. Parents have the right to give them guidance.” (1989)
This means that children also have religious freedom. At the same time, parents have a responsibility to guide their children, especially when they are young.
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Mange forskjellige menneskefigurer laget av papir
Why is religious freedom important?
Being able to believe what you want is connected to the right to have your own thoughts and opinions. For many people, religion and worldview are an important part of their identity—that is, who they are, what gives their life meaning, and which values they want to live by.
Being able to express your beliefs, for example through rituals, clothing, or food, can also be important for feeling a sense of belonging. It can be about being part of a family, a group, or a community that shares something important.
When people are allowed to be different and are still treated with respect, it becomes easier for more people to feel safe and included. This allows a society to make room for many different ways of living.
Religious freedom is therefore connected to other important rights in a democracy, such as freedom of expression (the right to say what you think) and the right not to be discriminated against. Together, these rights help people live free and secure lives.
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En gruppe unge venner som sitter sammen og ler
Limits to religious freedom
Can you say and do anything, just because you claim it is about religion? No, you cannot.
Religious freedom means that you have the right to believe and think what you want. This right applies to what we call inner freedom—your thoughts and beliefs. No one can decide what you should believe.
But when it comes to actions, there are limits. This is called external freedom. You are not allowed to harm or discriminate against others, no matter what you believe. The laws of society decide how we are allowed to treat other people.
This means, for example, that religion can never be used as an excuse for bullying, threats, or exclusion. It also means that all people have the same rights, regardless of their religion or worldview.
So, we are free to believe and think what we want, but we are not free to do whatever we want.
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Kvinne som lager et stoppskilt med hånden
Do everyone have religious freedom?
No, not all people in the world have religious freedom.
In some countries, it is forbidden to change religion or to choose not to believe. People can be threatened, punished, or excluded because they believe differently from what is expected. This can mean, for example, that they are not allowed to go to school, lose contact with their family, or are put in prison.
In practice, this means they do not have religious freedom, even if there are laws that say they do. It is not enough for a right to be written in a law—it must also be respected in reality.
Religious freedom has also been violated in Norway. The Sami are an Indigenous people with their own traditions and religious practices. For a long time, Sami religion and culture were suppressed, and many Sami were pressured to stop their rituals and beliefs. This is called the Norwegianization policy.
When the Constitution was created in 1814, Christianity was the state religion. At the same time, several groups were excluded or discriminated against. For example, Jews were not allowed to enter Norway for a period, and Sami and other minorities were pressured to adapt to the majority culture.
Later, the laws were changed, and today everyone in Norway has the right to believe what they want. Even so, it is important to know this history in order to understand why religious freedom is such an important right today.
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En alvorlig utseende gutt står i skolegangen. Bak ham står to klassekamerater
What about children’s religious freedom?
You might be wondering: Does religious freedom apply to children too? Yes, it does.
Many children grow up with beliefs and traditions from their families. They celebrate holidays, eat certain foods, or follow religious rules, often without having chosen it themselves. For example, a child may celebrate Christmas, Eid, or Diwali because it is part of the family’s tradition, or follow rules about food and fasting at home. Religion and culture are often closely connected, and for many children this feels safe and natural.
At the same time, children have the right to express their opinions. This means that children can share what they think and feel about beliefs and traditions. For example, if a child does not want to take part in prayer, a religious service, or other religious activities, they have the right to be listened to.
Children’s religious freedom is therefore about both being part of the family’s traditions and being taken seriously as a person with their own thoughts. Parents have a responsibility to guide their children, especially when they are young, but they should also listen to their children’s opinions.
As you grow older, your opinions should count more. In Norway, you can decide for yourself whether you want to belong to a religious community, change to another one, or leave one when you turn 15. Your parents can give advice and guidance, but the choice is yours.
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Familie som feirer påskeferien sammen med bestemoren og barna
In summary
Religious freedom is about more than religion. It is about the right to think for yourself, have your own opinions, and live in a way that feels right for you. It is also about being able to be different, while all people have equal value.
You have the right to choose your beliefs, change your beliefs, or choose not to believe. At the same time, religious freedom always comes with responsibility and respect for others. No one has the right to use religion as an excuse to harm, discriminate against, or exclude others.
Religious freedom is therefore an important part of a society where people can live together, even if they believe and think differently.
En gruppe studenter som går sammen i rekke med armene rundt hverandres skuldre
Sources
- https://lille.snl.no/tros-_og_livssynsfrihet
- https://snl.no/religionsfrihet
- https://www.ung.no/demokrati-og-valg/429_Retten_til_religionsfrihet.html
- https://fn.no/avtaler/menneskerettigheter/fns-verdenserklaering-om-menneskerettigheter
- https://fn.no/avtaler/menneskerettigheter/barnekonvensjonen
- https://www.norgeshistorie.no/grunnlov-og-ny-union/1316-religionstvang-ikke-religionsfrihet.html
- https://snl.no/J%C3%B8deparagrafen
- https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/religion/religious-freedom-restrictions/international-religious-freedom-restrictions/
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