Should the Ban on Spiritual Practices Be Considered a Human Rights Violation?

Posted: October 7th, 2024

Should the Ban on Spiritual Practices Be Considered a Human Rights Violation?

Spiritual practices are often seen as a personal choice that reflects one’s beliefs, values, and identity. However, in some countries, such as China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, certain spiritual practices are banned or severely restricted by the government. These practices include Falun Gong, Baha’i Faith, and Christianity, among others. The question is: should the ban on spiritual practices be considered a human rights violation?

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948, “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” (Article 18). The UDHR is widely regarded as the foundation of international human rights law and norms. Therefore, based on this document, the ban on spiritual practices clearly violates the right to freedom of religion or belief.

However, some governments argue that the ban on spiritual practices is necessary to maintain social stability, national security, and public order. They claim that some spiritual practices are harmful, cult-like, or subversive, and that they pose a threat to the state and society. For example, China has banned Falun Gong since 1999, accusing it of being an “evil cult” that engages in anti-government activities and causes deaths and injuries among its followers. Iran has persecuted the Baha’is since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, alleging that they are heretics and spies for Israel. Saudi Arabia has prohibited the public practice of any religion other than Islam, asserting that it is the only true faith and that any deviation from it is apostasy.

However, these arguments are not convincing or legitimate. First of all, there is no clear or objective definition of what constitutes a harmful, cult-like, or subversive spiritual practice. Different governments may have different criteria and standards for labeling and banning certain spiritual practices. Moreover, these labels are often based on prejudice, ignorance, or fear of the unfamiliar or different. Second, there is no evidence that banning spiritual practices actually contributes to social stability, national security, or public order. On the contrary, banning spiritual practices may lead to more conflict, violence, and resentment among different groups of people. Third, banning spiritual practices violates not only the right to freedom of religion or belief, but also other related rights, such as the right to life, liberty, dignity, expression, association, education, and health. Many people who practice banned spiritual practices face discrimination, harassment, imprisonment, torture, disappearance, or even death because of their faith.

Therefore, it is clear that the ban on spiritual practices should be considered a human rights violation. It is a violation of the universal and inalienable rights of every human being to seek and express their truth and meaning in life. It is also a violation of the diversity and pluralism that enriches our world and fosters mutual understanding and respect among different cultures and traditions. Banning spiritual practices is not only unjust and immoral; it is also ineffective and counterproductive. It does not solve any real problems; it only creates more problems.

The international community should take action to protect and promote the right to freedom of religion or belief for all people. It should monitor and report on the situations of people who practice banned spiritual practices in different countries. It should also pressure and persuade those governments that ban spiritual practices to respect and uphold their human rights obligations and commitments. Furthermore, it should support and empower those people who practice banned spiritual practices to defend their rights and dignity peacefully and nonviolently. Finally, it should encourage and facilitate dialogue and cooperation among different religious and spiritual groups to foster tolerance and harmony in our world.

References:

– United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
– Human Rights Watch. (2020). China: Events of 2020. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/china
– Amnesty International. (2020). Iran 2020. https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/iran/report-iran/
– U.S. Department of State. (2020). Saudi Arabia – International Religious Freedom Report 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers-report-on-international-religious-freedom/saudi-arabia/

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