RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION: A BOON

Abstract

Religion is the set of beliefs, feelings, dogmas and practices that define the relations between human being and sacred or divinity. A given religion is defined by specific elements of a community of believers: dogmas, sacred books, rites, worship, sacrament, moral prescription, interdicts, and organization. The majority of religions have developed starting from a revelation based on the exemplary history of a nation, of a prophet or a wise man who taught an ideal of life.

A religion may be defined with its three great characteristics:

• Believes and religious practices
• The religious feeling i.e. faith
• Unity in a community of those who share the same faith: the Church. It is what differentiates religion from magic.

The term religion is not defined in the constitution and indeed it is a term which is hardly susceptible to any rigid definition. The Supreme Court has defined it broadly. A religion may only lay down a code of ethical rules for its followers to accept, it might prescribe rituals and observances, ceremonies and modes of worship which are regarded as integral part of religion and those forms and observances might extend even to matters of food and dress. Religion is thus essentially a matter of personal faith and belief. Every person has right not only to entertain such religious belief and ideas as may be approved by his judgement or conscience but also exhibit his belief and ideas by such overt acts which are sanctioned by his religion.