Celebrating the 450th anniversary of religious tolerance

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Tue, 2019-01-22 10:57

NorthReport

Celebrating the Anniversary of Religious Tolerance

On January 13, 2018, one of the world’s first statements of religious tolerance will have its 450th anniversary. In 1568, in the city of Torda, in what is now Romania, a religious gathering presided over by Unitarian King John Sigismund proclaimed:

“…In every place the preachers shall preach and explain the Gospel each according to his understanding of it, and if the congregation like it, well. If not, no one shall compel them for their souls would not be satisfied, but they shall be permitted to keep a preacher whose teaching they approve. Therefore none of the superintendents or others shall abuse the preachers, no one shall be reviled for his religion by anyone, according to the previous statutes, and it is not permitted that anyone should threaten anyone else by imprisonment or by removal from his post for his teaching. For faith is the gift of God and this comes from hearing, which hearing is by the word of God.”

Unitarianism was officially recognized for the first time in the history of the world in the Edict of Torda. And

that proclamation is the beginning of our legacy to be a spiritual tradition that resists hatred, oppression, and the narrow view that there is only one way to be faithful, to be religious, to be free.

Source: UUA – https://www.uua.org/international/torda450
Image courtesy of UUA International Office

Read more About TORDA450

Tue, 2019-01-22 11:00

NorthReport

Torda450 - Celebrating the Anniversary of Religious Tolerance

https://www.uua.org/international/torda450

Tue, 2019-01-22 12:54

montgomery

Excellent topic! There's no doubt whatsoever that we must take the position that we who support the NDP must be tolerant of all modern religions. Or should that be, all modern mainstream religions? An exception could be witchcraft and the burning of witches. And on the other hand, it's questionable whether or not we should be tolerant of a religion which worships the airplanes that pass by overhead?

The point I would like to make is, just how far should our tolerance go?

Is your point 'North Report' to explore the question further. It's just that some religions are more subtle in their beliefs than the 'airplanes and witches' examples I've mentioned above.

I'll just say for now that if they do no harm and don't violate established law, then let them do their thing. If they start shooting down airplanes or flying them into buildings in the name of their cause then we would probably need to take a closer look. A nuanced look for sure because terrorists don't necessarily represent their religions.

Wed, 2019-01-23 01:33

kropotkin1951

Do you think it is better to believe in a old guy in the sky instead of mother earth?

http://www.wiccanada.ca/

Wed, 2019-01-23 01:51

Mr. Magoo

Don't assume Earth's gender.

Wed, 2019-01-23 03:56

(Reply to #5) #6

voice of the damned

kropotkin1951 wrote:

Do you think it is better to believe in a old guy in the sky instead of mother earth?

http://www.wiccanada.ca/

Well, as far as Unitarians go, there are numerous UUs who do follow pagan spirituality.

http://www.cuups.org/

I'm not one of them, though. I did attend a service in Edmonton a few years back centred around goddess-worship.

Wed, 2019-01-23 13:20

montgomery

It's clearly a question of just how tolerant we need to be. That which was tolerable in 1568 may not be all that tolerable now! personally, I would tend toward condemning the first 400 years and then taking a close look at the last 50 in order to find that which is tolerable.