July 31, 2026
Religious Freedom and Religious Tolerance

In Europe, religious freedom eventually became established. It was the first of the modern freedoms and is often regarded as the mother of all freedoms. In the Middle East, however, this principle did not develop in the same way. Instead, there has traditionally been tolerance toward the "People of the Book" (Ahl al-Kitab).

In the past, Europe had virtually no religious tolerance. As a result, there are no longer historic Muslim communities in Europe (such as those that once existed in Sicily and Spain), apart from those formed by modern immigrants and a small number of converts. By contrast, Christian communities have continued to exist in the Middle East, and until 1948 there were also many Jewish communities there.

This, too, depends on one's point of view. I do not know whether it is more rational to believe in one religion and consider all others to be false, or to hold that all religions should enjoy equal dignity.