The Secular Party's views on religion

The Secular Party is not anti-religion in the sense that we believe that people should be free to indulge their beliefs, provided they do not infringe the rights of others. So while we support freedom of religion, we recognise that, as with any freedom, there are inevitable limitations that must be applied in support of the public good. Where religious practitioners err, we contend, is in presuming that the supposed authenticity of their beliefs gives rise to a right to impose their beliefs on others.

Belief in religions requires faith, which necessarily entails a departure from rationality. It is widely presumed that this departure is either desirable or acceptable. The Secular Party questions this presumption. On the basis that the validity of any contention must in some way be tested on the basis of reason and observation, we assert that, due to their lack of supporting evidence, and due to their numerous contradictions with each other, within themselves, and with known facts, we cannot accept that any religion could be true.

The fact that people willingly adhere to false beliefs is not necessarily harmful. Indeed, we concede that in providing psychological consolation and in inspiring charitable works, the practice of belief may be somewhat beneficial. We contend however, that only wilful blindness to the violence and destruction caused by religion, over centuries and to the present day, could obscure the fact that religions are on balance harmful to society. Whatever moral, charitable or consoling advantages religions may have had, in the 21st century these are best obtained by other means.

In a climate of tolerance and multiculturalism it has become taboo to question the authenticity of anyone's religious belief. In sympathy with the motivation behind this convention, the Secular Party also seeks a harmonious and peaceful world. However we contend that is it wrong not to confront beliefs that are not only false but harmful. This confrontation must extend, not only to extremist beliefs, but to all false religious beliefs, since all carry the potential of causing harm. The Secular Party thus advocates rational discourse as the antidote to delusion and unfounded bigotry.

While in an ideal world we might prefer that all religious practices and freedoms should be conducted in private between consenting adults, we are realistic enough to accept that this will not be achieved. However we certainly think curtailing government support, endorsement, subsidy and promotion of religion is possible. This we vigorously advocate.

On religion in particular, the time appears to me to have come, when it is a duty of all who, being qualified in point of knowledge, have, on mature consideration, satisfied themselves that the current opinions are not only false, but hurtful, to make their dissent known. John Stuart Mill

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