Over de betekenis van vrijheid van godsdienst en de scheiding van kerk/moskee en staat

Abstract

This paper discusses the meaning of the freedom of religion and the separationbetween church (or mosque) and state. It argues that the distinctionbetween private and public is about the attribution of responsibilities: privateis what belongs to the responsibility of individuals. It does not followthat what is private cannot have relevancy for public life. Religionis private; hence freedom of religion. But this freedom is not absolute. Todiscuss what the limits are one needs a theory about the point of this freedom.Three interpretations are discussed: a theocratic interpretation, aninterpretation which justifies religious freedom because it is supposed tohave relevancy for the individual believers only, and an interpretation accordingto which freedom of religion is justified by respect for individualautonomy. It is argued that the last interpretation is to be preferred. Someconsequences of this interpretation are shortly indicated.