Inaugural Religious Freedom Roundtable Promotes Protection of Faith in Australia

Sydney, Australia, November 23, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The preservation and protection of religion in Australia took center stage during the Religious Freedom Roundtable in Sydney hosted by Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson and designed to address what Commissioner Wilson called “the complex challenge of respecting religious freedom in a pluralistic, multi-faith society” such as that of Australia.

Featured in the roundtable were members of the Church of Scientology as well as those from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic, Anglican, Baha’i, Russian Orthodox, Buddhist, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist and Atheist Foundation communities, among others.

In today's society, religion and religious freedom have come under heavy attack. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are fundamental rights enshrined in the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as are the freedoms to hold and practice religious beliefs of one's choosing.

Sei Kato, Church of Scientology Australia

“We applaud the Human Rights Commission’s positive efforts to advance religious freedom in Australia,” said Sei Kato, Church of Scientology Australia public affairs staff. "In today’s society, religion and religious freedom have come under heavy attack. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are fundamental rights enshrined in the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as are the freedoms to hold and practice religious beliefs of one’s choosing."

“These rights are an integral part of creating a peaceful society built on mutual understanding and tolerance,” Kato continued, “and are essential if Australia is to continue to thrive as a multicultural nation.”

Commissioner Wilson cited that the true purpose of the summit was to “find a way to ensure religious freedom of those with or without belief is respected.” He was also concerned with strategies to support religious inclusion and social cohesion.

Scientology Churches across Australia work in their communities to promote human rights, diversity and religious freedom.

Scientology Churches throughout Australia are active members of the interfaith communities of their cities. Freedom of conscience is a basic human right and the Scientology religion works to protect and preserve this and the other rights enshrined in the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Creed of the Church of Scientology, written in February 1954, begins with the statement, “We of the Church believe: That all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights. That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance.”

To promote diversity and inclusion, Scientology Churches hold open house events and Church volunteers are active members of the Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights human rights education initiatives the Church supports.

Scientology Churches across Australia work in their communities to promote human rights, diversity and religious freedom. 

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