Copenhagen Declaration on Religion in Public Life

Yes, I'm back. It's been quite a while since my last post so I thought I'd get back in the saddle with something truly important. The recent World Atheist Conference subtitled "God and Politics" concluded with the declaration below, which clarifies a number of points regarding the position of secular thought on key social and political issues. While not all of us might agree with all of these ideas, it is nevertheless a vital guide and framework for advancing the idea of a secular society. I don't doubt that the religious nutters out there will choose to see this declaration as a document of faith, since their limited view of the world only allows for differing religions but in the words of Scott Adams:

Atheism is a religion in the same way that not collecting stamps is a hobby.

We, at the World Atheist Conference: “Gods and Politics”, held in Copenhagen from 18 to 20 June 2010, hereby declare as follows:

• We recognize the unlimited right to freedom of conscience, religion and belief, and that freedom to practice one’s religion should be limited only by the need to respect the rights of others.

•  We submit that public policy should be informed by evidence and reason, not by dogma.

•  We assert the need for a society based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. History has shown that the most successful societies are the most secular.

•  We assert that the only equitable system of government in a democratic society is based on secularism: state neutrality in matters of religion or belief, favoring none and discriminating against none.

•  We assert that private conduct, which respects the rights of others should not be the subject of legal sanction or government concern.

•  We affirm the right of believers and non-believers alike to participate in public life and their right to equality of treatment in the democratic process.

•  We affirm the right to freedom of expression for all, subject to limitations only as prescribed in international law – laws which all governments should respect and enforce. We reject all blasphemy laws and restrictions on the right to criticize religion or nonreligious life stances.

•  We assert the principle of one law for all, with no special treatment for minority communities, and no jurisdiction for religious courts for the settlement of civil matters or family disputes.

•  We reject all discrimination in employment (other than for religious leaders) and the provision of social services on the grounds of race, religion or belief, gender, class, caste or sexual orientation.

•  We reject any special consideration for religion in politics and public life, and oppose charitable, tax-free status and state grants for the promotion of any religion as inimical to the interests of non-believers and those of other faiths. We oppose state funding for faith schools.

•  We support the right to secular education, and assert the need for education in critical thinking and the distinction between faith and reason as a guide to knowledge, and in the diversity of religious beliefs. We support the spirit of free inquiry and the teaching of science free from religious interference, and are opposed to indoctrination, religious or otherwise.

Adopted by the conference, Copenhagen, 20 June 2010.

I can't stress enough the importance of this statement and I urge everyone who reads this to spread the word to anyone of a similar view, or even a differing view if proselytising is your thing.