190
over many centuries, which can help us better to
live our own beliefs.
Social dialogue in a context of religious freedom
255.âThe Synod Fathers spoke of the impor-
tance of respect for religious freedom, viewed as
a fundamental human right.
202
This includes âthe
freedom to choose the religion which one judges
to be true and to manifest oneâs beliefs in pub-
licâ.
203
A healthy pluralism, one which genuine-
ly respects differences and values them as such,
does not entail privatizing religions in an attempt
to reduce them to the quiet obscurity of the in-
dividualâs conscience or to relegate them to the
enclosed precincts of churches, synagogues or
mosques. This would represent, in effect, a new
form of discrimination and authoritarianism.
The respect due to the agnostic or non-believing
minority should not be arbitrarily imposed in a
way that silences the convictions of the believing
majority or ignores the wealth of religious tra-
ditions. In the long run, this would feed resent-
ment rather than tolerance and peace.
256.âWhen considering the effect of religion
on public life, one must distinguish the different
ways in which it is practiced. Intellectuals and
202
âCf.
Propositio
16.
203
âB
enedict
XVI, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
Ecclesia in Medio Oriente
(14 September 2012), 26: AAS 104
(2012), 762.
