On this World Religion Day, New Democrats stand in solidarity with people of all faiths who share a vision for a world in which everyone has the freedom to worship as they choose without fear of persecution—a world in which freedom of religion is protected as a fundamental human right.
The tradition of World Religion Day was initiated by Bahá'ís in 1950 to “to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions.”
This day is commemorated to encourage respect and understanding between people of all convictions and as a reminder that the similarities between religions dwarf the differences. Trust in a higher power is a common thread that unites people of faith.
New Democrats enthusiastically support this goal, and have long been champions of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, Article 1 of which states that each person “shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community.
