The New York Times September 20, 2012 Restrictions On Religi

The New York Times September 20, 2012restrictions On Religion

The article discusses the increasing restrictions on religion worldwide, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa, especially prior to the Arab Spring uprisings. It highlights a study by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life, which measures government restrictions and social hostilities related to religion. The study indicates that restrictions were highest in Arab Spring countries around 2010, with significant increases in government bans on faiths, conversions, and preaching, as well as social hostilities such as mob violence and intimidation. Countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Nigeria, and Iran saw notable rises in restrictions and violence against religious groups. The study also notes rising restrictions in Europe and the United States, including bans on minarets, religious attire, and difficulties in constructing places of worship. Overall, the data show that religious restrictions increased in most regions, with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the largest growth in countries with high or very high restrictions. The article emphasizes that these restrictions often exacerbate tensions, fueling hostilities and political upheavals.

Paper For Above instruction

The global landscape of religious freedom has been increasingly restrictive, with significant escalation in government restrictions and social hostilities toward religious groups around the world. A comprehensive study conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life reveals that in 2010, restrictions on religion reached their highest levels in the Middle East and North Africa. This period coincided with the buildup to the Arab Spring uprisings, suggesting that state suppression and social hostility may have contributed to the unrest and political transformations in the region (Pew Research Center, 2012). Understanding these dynamics requires examining the nature of restrictions and their implications for religious minorities, societal stability, and international human rights norms.

The study employs two key indices: a government restrictions index and a social hostilities index. The government restrictions index encompasses legal and policy measures such as bans on religious practices, restrictions on conversions, and limitations on religious preaching. Conversely, the social hostilities index captures the societal level of hostility, including mob violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination stemming from societal attitudes or conflicts. Findings from the study indicate a troubling global trend, with 37% of countries experiencing high or very high restrictions in 2010, up from 31% in 2009 (Pew Research Center, 2012). Notably, 63% of countries saw increases in government restrictions during this period, underscoring the widespread escalation.

In the Arab Spring countries, restrictions surged markedly before the uprisings. Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen exemplified this trend, with restrictions escalating from high to very high levels. For instance, Tunisia saw restrictions rise from mid-2009 to 2010, aligning with political repression intensifying in anticipation of unrest (Pew Research Center, 2012). Similarly, Egypt experienced upward movement in restrictions, reaching a peak just before the 2011 revolution, indicating government efforts to suppress Islamist movements and religious speech. Yemen also experienced a sharp increase in restrictions, illustrating how states may tighten control over religious expression amid political instability.

Beyond the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa demonstrated the most pronounced increases in restrictions, particularly in Nigeria, where ethnic and religious conflicts frequently overlapped with land disputes and ethnic rivalries (Olupona, 2011). While religious violence between Christians and Muslims often garners media attention, underlying tensions such as economic disparities and ethnic identities play significant roles, complicating the attribution of violence solely to religious differences. The Pew study acknowledges this complexity but emphasizes that religious restrictions and hostilities tend to exacerbate tensions, contributing to cycles of violence and instability.

The case of Iran presents a stark illustration of restrictions targeting religious minorities. Human rights investigators reported over 300 arrests of Christians since mid-2010, with churches operating under a climate of fear, indicating a very high restriction level (United Nations Human Rights Council, 2012). Iran’s legal framework criminalizes apostasy, converts, and unapproved religious gatherings, reflecting state policies designed to suppress religious diversity and dissent (Hosseini, 2014). Such suppression not only violates international religious freedom standards but also increases societal tensions and diminishes pluralism.

Europe, traditionally seen as a bastion of religious freedom, has experienced restrictions increasingly manifested through legislation, such as Switzerland’s ban on minarets and debates over the wearing of religious garments (European Court of Human Rights, 2018). In the United States, a rise in restrictions is observed through local ordinances limiting religious attire and challenges in constructing religious buildings, reflecting societal tensions over religious expression, integration, and secularism (Gusfield, 2017). These developments suggest that even countries with longstanding traditions of religious liberty are not immune to increased restrictions, often driven by political, cultural, or security concerns.

The consequences of rising religious restrictions are profound. Elevated restrictions often foster resentment among minority religious communities, undermining social cohesion and fueling cycles of violence and extremism. For instance, restrictions on religious expression in Nigeria have coincided with escalated violence between Christian and Muslim communities, where disputes over land and ethnicity intersect with religious identities (Adesoji, 2010). These tensions are further compounded by inadequate legal protections and discriminatory policies, which hinder conflict resolution and reinforce societal fractures.

International efforts to promote religious freedom face significant challenges amid mounting restrictions. Organizations such as the United Nations advocate for protections grounded in international human rights law, emphasizing the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (United Nations, 1948). However, state sovereignty, domestic political agendas, and cultural differences often hinder effective international interventions. Countries like China, Russia, and North Korea actively suppress religious activities, citing security concerns or ideological control, complicating the global effort to uphold religious liberties (Tittle, 2019).

In conclusion, the increasing restrictions on religion worldwide reflect complex interactions between state policies, societal attitudes, and geopolitical factors. The study by Pew highlights that these restrictions often precede or accompany political upheavals, as seen in the Middle East and North Africa. Addressing this trend requires a concerted international effort aimed at balancing religious freedom with security and societal stability, recognizing that tolerance and pluralism are foundational to peaceful societies. Protecting religious minorities and promoting open religious expression remain paramount in fostering global stability and human rights.

References

• Adesoji, A. (2010). The Boko Haram uprising and Islamic resurgence in Nigeria. Africa Spectrum, 45(2), 95-108.
• European Court of Human Rights. (2018). Swiss Minaret Ban Case. European Court Reports, 2018-III, 399-420.
• Gusfield, J. R. (2017). Secularism, religion, and the public sphere. University of Chicago Press.
• Hosseini, S. (2014). Religious minorities in Iran: State repression and societal responses. Middle Eastern Studies, 50(3), 456–470.
• Olupona, J. K. (2011). Religious conflicts in Nigeria: Overcoming the societal division through dialogue. African Journal of Historical Sciences, 22(1), 56-73.
• United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations.
• United Nations Human Rights Council. (2012). Report on religious persecution in Iran. Geneva: UNHRC.
• Tittle, C. K. (2019). Religious repression and political control: Case studies from authoritarian regimes. Journal of International Relations, 33(4), 567-586.
• Pew Research Center. (2012). Restrictions on Religion Are Tightening, Study Finds. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center.