Part II | Outline

Category G | Extrinsic Benefits

Topic 35 | The good religious freedom does

While it is true that religion can be a source of, or contribute to, conflict and other problems, religious freedom is usually the solution to the ills created by religion.

• The key idea. In places where religion is a negative force, there is almost never a robust culture of religious freedom, or robust legal protections of religious freedom. The best antidote to bad religion is religious freedom.

• A related idea is that majoritarian religious groups, especially when they enjoy something like a monopoly position, and are closely aligned with dominant political power, are more likely to be a problem than other religious groups. Just as freedom and competition is an antidote to monopolies, sometimes religious freedom is the solution to the over- identification of political power with a particular religious group.

• A key danger is conflating religion and religious freedom. Religious freedom will not bring salvation, enlightenment, or nirvana. It is, however, a key prerequisite for those who wish to seek salvation, enlightenment, or nirvana. In facilitating individuals’ agency to seek for and find truth, religious freedom is a foundational principle even if it is not the ultimate principle.