NationStates Jolt Archive

Due to the dearth of recent incidents of nations disallowing certain religious views, sometimes forcibly, and coupled with currently existing provisions concerning ethnic and racial tolerance, the Commonwealth of Varessa puts forward the following conventions, to be signed by any sovereign state that so wishes, and bound by nought but their own decency, morality, and above all, common sense.

Signatory nations shall, from time of assumption of that status, endeavour, in good faith, to allow their people freedom of religion, as they choose, freedom from religion, should they choose, and freedom from persecution on the basis of any of their above choices.

Signatory nations agree to respect the individual's choice of faith, or otherwise, and agree that that choice is theirs alone to make.

Signatory nations agree to the principle of secular authority, whatever the personal beliefs of the holder of executive or legislative power. In so agreeing, holders of that executive power are NOT obliged to disavow their beliefs, but are honour-bound to maintain it as an aspect of personal, rather than public life.

Signatory nations, in short, agree to allow all matters of a religious nature to be determined, in all their forms, by the individual, without government interference, prejudice or preference.

Signatory nations are listed below, and will be updated on a semi-regular basis.

Varessa
Vendi
Lyras
Sreech
Greenmanbry
Grendanian Isles
New Zambuda
Sharina

...

Varessa, your courage inspires Vendi to agree to sign your conventions. You can add our name to your list as we realize that a government exists to help its citizens and not hurt them.


Yours in Partnership,
Nigel Rightly
Prime Minister of Vendi

We thank you for your forthright, conscientious and just stand on this issue. We also applaud the sentiments which exist behind your stance. We only wish that more would follow your example.

Alex Shaw
Foreign Minister
Varessan Commonwealth

Whittier will not sign at this time as we are still having internal problems.

May we be of service in the resolution of your ongoing problems? For protocol's sake, a formal request will have to be made, but depending on the nature and seriousness of the problem, we may well be able to help.

Alex Shaw
Foreign Minister
Varessan Commonwealth

In light of recent events in Kahta, we agree to sign these conventions, gratefully mindful that they are purely voluntary, and an affirmation of goodwill towards our human resources.

Religion may well be the opiate of the masses... but, if so, that is fine with us. That's the only drug we are going to let them have.

We urge other nations, whatever their political leanings, to support this affirmation of religious tolerance.

I also will sign and support this convention. I belive in religious tolerance (Although I myself am Agnostic), very much. Thank you Varessa.

Steven Farinstance/Alexander Brokar.

Secretary Of State/President.

The United Socialist States of Sreech.

Our Dominion whole-heartedly agrees to sign these conventions. We have a long-standing history of religious tolerance, and our nation is one of diverse cultures and religions.

May this be the beginning of a road that will eventually lead to the full establishment of religious tolerance and tranquility in socially-unstable countries.

Ahmed Byrnashty
President
The Dominion of Greenmanbry

Comm: 1108041600
Lvl: TS
Auth: His Honorable Gendan Somos


The Grendanian Isles would like to put forth the view that despite our outward appearance on matters such as this, we too are ardant supporters of the freedom of expression in all forms; be it speech or religion.

We would like to encourage all nations to support this view and respect the people's choice of religion.

Yours Sincerly,
Jerry Hummer
Minister for Foreign Affairs
on behalf of
His Honourable Gendan Somos
CEO of the Grendanian Isles

Your concern for freedom in this difficult time is greatly appreciate. Varessa will not forget it, nor will its people.

Alex Shaw
Foreign Minister
Varessan Commonwealth

We the people of New Zamunda hearby recognize the conventions and give our full support to all institutions supporting religious freedom.

Thank you,
Sheik Mon
Prime Minister

The Republic of Sharina believes in providing its citizens with the freedom to choose their religion, and wishes that other nations shall follow suit. I believe that we have to lead by example.

President Rand Versitek
Leader of the Sharian People.

Chellis doesn't see the point in signing this. Anyone who signs it most likely already allows religious freedom. Signing this would hardly affect anything anywhere, except a few sheets of paper would have writing on it.

As a side note, Chellis is 94% Atheist. It is illegal to be anything other than Atheist or sirithilist, but generally any religion is illegal.

It is a non-binding affirmation of principle. Nothing more. And how you justify your standpoint of religion as illegal is difficult for me to follow. We disagree, but in keeping with our principles of peaceful diplomacy, we'd rather persuade you of the error of your ways in open discussion of pros and cons, rather than take action.

Alex Shaw
Foreign Minister
Varessan Commonwealth

Quite simply, people are sometimes too dumb to realize the truth. This is the problem with freedom of religion, and democracy as well. The leaders of Chellis have determied Atheism to be the truth.