It’s Quiz time
Religious Freedom: A Human Right?
The right to freely follow, change, or express one’s religion is a core human freedom that continues to face serious challenges around the world. As current events show—from the repression of religious minorities to growing tensions over public expressions of faith—protecting this freedom is as important today as ever.
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Take this week’s Quiz and find out how much you know!
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Results
#1. Which international document recognizes religious freedom as a human right?
In the aftermath of World War II, the world realized that there needed to be a standard put in place to protect human rights. A drafting committee, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, wrote The Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1946-1948. The document contains 30 articles that outline universal, inherent, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent rights which all humans have. Article 18 outlines religious freedom.
#2. What are the four key freedoms protected under Article 18 of the UDHR?
Because religious minorities were targeted during World War II, there was a strong desire to outline and protect religious freedom. Article 18 lists “thought,” “conscience,” “religion,” and “belief,” as fundamental human rights. People should not be discriminated against because of what they do or do not believe.
#3. Some countries justify religious restrictions under national security concerns. According to Article 18, when can governments limit religious freedom?
In 1966, a follow up covenant to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written in order to establish legal restrictions to the declaration. This was called the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR outlined what limits a government could place on religious beliefs. The UDHR had no such limits in its declaration.
#4. Although China is a signatory to the ICCPR, it has not ratified it. What does this mean for enforcement?
There are six countries that have signed the ICCPR, but have not ratified it. This means that they are responsible to act in good faith and not undermine the objective of the document, but they are not yet legally bound by it. China is one of those countries, and many people in recent years, both inside and out of the country, have been calling for ratification of the ICCPR.
#5. Which minority group in China has faced severe religious restrictions and mass surveillance, violating Article 18 of the ICCPR?
Many minority groups have faced discrimination in China. The Falun Gong practitioners have faced torture and imprisonment. Tibetan Buddhists have had restrictions placed upon their leaders as well as on their ability to assemble and practice their religion. The Uyghur Muslims have been placed under surveillance, detention and been subjected to “reeducation” campaigns. All of these examples go against the ICCPR and UDHR.
#6. Bonus Question from last time: What is the “pluralistic ignorance” effect in hookup culture?
“Pluralistic Ignorance” occurs when one believes those around them are enjoying casual sex and hooking up more than they actually are. Both men and women are more likely to overestimate the comfort levels of others engaging in sexual encounters, which leads them to act as though they themselves are more comfortable with various sexual behaviors than they truly are. “Note that if everyone is affected by this fallacy, no one will be behaving in accordance with their own beliefs and comfort levels”.
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