| Catholic Social Teaching |
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| Sunday, 28 June 2009 12:47 |
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Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. It is grounded in the nature and dignity of human beings. It is a freedom and duty which men and women are to express without coercion and includes the freedom to seek the truth. The Declaration of the Relationship of the Church to Non Christian Relgions more fully explains the relationship of the Church to other religions. For example, in relation to Islam, the Church teaches: “The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,(5) who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.”
Explore the links below to find out more about Church teaching regarding religious freedom and other religions.
Quotes from Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non Christian Religions
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