The Universal Declaration on Human Rights proclaims the freedom of religion. Protections for religious freedom and their day-to-day implementation vary from country to country.JapanChileSaudi Arabia short

Question

Religious Affiliations
52% Shinto
42% Buddhist
4% Other
1% Christian

Church and state are officially separate, and religious freedom is protected by law and in practice. According to Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, approximately 183,000 religious groups were certified by the government as religious organizations with corporate status. The government does not observe any religious holidays as national holidays.

Religious Affiliations
70% Roman Catholic
15% Protestant
10% unaffiliated
5% Other

Church and state are officially separate, and religious freedom is generally protected by law and in practice. Publicly-subsidized schools are required to offer religious education during two teaching hours per week through high school. Parents may decide to have their children excused from religious education. The majority of religious instruction in public schools is Catholic, although the Ministry of Education has approved curricula for 14 other religious groups. The government observes several religious holidays as national holidays.

Religious Affiliations
85 to 90 % Sunni Muslim
10 to 15 % Shia Muslim

Sunni Islam is the official religion, and there is no separation between state and religion. Saudi Arabia does not recognize freedom of religion and prohibits the public practice of any religion other than Islam. Some Muslims who do not adhere to the government's interpretation of Islam face significant political, economic, legal, social, and religious discrimination. All public schools provide religious instruction. The Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is a government agency that monitors social behavior and enforces morality according to the government's interpretation of Islam.
Compare the religious composition and protections of these countries. In what ways are the protections similar and different?

Answer 1

The religious compositions and protections for religious freedom in Japan, Chile, and Saudi Arabia illustrate a diverse landscape of practices and beliefs as well as varying degrees of governmental oversight and restrictions on religion.

Religious Composition

1. Japan:

   • Major Religions: 52% Shinto, 42% Buddhist, 4% Other, 1% Christian.
   • Religious Diversity: Japan has a pluralistic religious environment with multiple long-standing traditions coexisting.

2. Chile:

   • Major Religions: 70% Roman Catholic, 15% Protestant, 10% unaffiliated, 5% Other.
   • Religious Influence: Predominantly Christian, with Catholicism being the most influential and widely practiced faith.

3. Saudi Arabia:

   • Major Religions: 85-90% Sunni Muslim, 10-15% Shia Muslim.
   • Religious Homogeneity: The population is primarily Muslim, specifically Sunni, with little tolerance for non-Islamic faiths.

Protections of Religious Freedom

1. Japan:

   • Legal Framework: Church and state are officially separate; religious freedom is protected both in law and in practice.
   • Implementation: The government certifies religious organizations but does not celebrate religious holidays on a national level.

2. Chile:

   • Legal Framework: Church and state are also separate, with legal protections for religious freedom.
   • Implementation: Public schools must provide religious education, primarily Catholic, but parents can opt out. Several religious holidays are recognized by the government.

3. Saudi Arabia:

   • Legal Framework: No separation between church and state; Sunni Islam is the official religion.
   • Implementation: Freedom of religion is not recognized; public practice of any faith other than Islam is prohibited. Discriminatory practices are rampant against those who do not conform to the government’s interpretation of Islam.

Similarities and Differences

• Similarities:

  • Separation of Church and State: Both Japan and Chile feature a separation of church and state, ensuring some level of legal protection for religious freedom.
  • Diversity: Japan and Chile exhibit religious diversity, while Saudi Arabia maintains a religiously homogeneous environment.

• Differences:

  • Degree of Freedom: Japan and Chile provide legal protections for religious freedom and allow diverse religious practices. In contrast, Saudi Arabia enforces a strict interpretation of Islam, severely limiting religious freedoms for non-Muslims and even within various factions of Islam.
  • Education: Chile incorporates religious education into public schooling, reflecting its Catholic majority, while Japan maintains secular education. Saudi Arabia mandates religious instruction strictly aligned with Sunni Islam.
  • Public Holidays: Chile observes certain religious holidays as national holidays, whereas Japan does not recognize any religious holidays formally, and Saudi Arabia’s holidays are exclusively Islamic.

In summary, while Japan and Chile share a commitment to religious freedom and diversity, Saudi Arabia stands in stark contrast with its restrictive practices and lack of recognition for non-Islamic religions, reflecting varied cultural and historical contexts influencing religious policies in each country.