Freedom of Religion

Europe's Religious Wars Ended in 1648,
Granting Freedom of Religion to States & Citizens

Legacy of the Western World: Freedom of Religion

The West Protects the Rights of Individuals to Choose and Practice Their Own Religion--Or None--Without Government Interference and Prohibits the Government from Discrimination Based on Religion

Compatibility of Religions

The West's freedom of religion was conceived in a Christian context. What would the Enlightenment thinkers and founders of western thought conclude when confronted with the multicultural, multi-religion society of the west today? Can the western liberal world order effectively operate in this new society? What is the path forward when all citizens are guaranteed freedom of religion but the religious precepts of different religions conflict with each other?
Government-Mandated Ideology

While western countries can't force religious belief, some people argue that certain secular worldviews imposed by governments--which define moral and immoral behaviors and beliefs--have the same coercive effects as religions. What rights do citizens have to refuse a government-mandated ideology that contradicts their religion or personal conscience?
Post-Christian West

The West is descended from European Christian nations; Europe was also known as "Christendom." Post-Christian refers to places where Christianity is no longer the dominant cultural force; where it now coexists with secularism, environmentalism, new social-justice ideologies, or something else. This affects the underlying values, the community's social fabric and social contract.
Post-Human / Trans-Human World

The west's Judeo-Christian foundations see humans as being made in the image of God and therefore human life is sacred, and the human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. That attitude carried through to non-religious members of western societies. Secular Humanists believe that life matters, humans matter. Transhumanism extends that to imagine how technology can be used to further evolve humans to eliminate aging, and greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capabilities. How does that fit with Judeo-Christian roots?