Bern, Switzerland [G. Vassallo; CD EUDNews]. It has been accurately said, "it would be naive to think that religious freedom is a problem of the past, already or even just in the process of being resolved and that in Western Europe, all can freely profess the religion of their choice (or no religion). Actually the problem has only been transformed and though it appears less dramatic than in the past, it continues to be perceived in different ways." (S. Ferrari, Iban).
On the one hand, presently, it is not hard to see as one examines or looks at a real "hand of God", a "de-privatization" of religion. Starting in the 70's, institutions and religions have raised cultural, social and political challenges against secularization, re-examining the supposed neutrality of the state's values, and re-defining the consolidated distinction between public and private, and between public and private ethics (Kepel).
On the other hand - due to the immigration issues in the last fifteen years it has led to a profound change in European social and religious views - and modern times show a significant increase in loyalty conflicts to which citizens of one system are subordinate to another even if the intention is to follow ethical precepts of another religion.
Today in fact, following a religious belief translates into daily conflict with state laws, starting from the moment someone is inserted into a society with rules that regulate every single aspect of existence.
For these reasons the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in cooperation with Direcom Institute of Theology in Lugano, is organizing an international conference to discuss some of the current issues on the rights to religious freedom.
The conference will touch upon philosophical, theological and legal rights, and analyze legal instruments in order to place religious freedom as a fundamental and inalienable right in the international order.
Location and organization of the conference:
The conference will be held in Lugano, Department of Theology, on March 27-28, 2014. The organizing committee will include Prof. Giampiero Vassallo and Professor Vincenzo Pacillo (Department of Theology, Lugano).
The conference will be carried out in four different sessions: in each of these, two well known professors or researchers under the leadership of a president, will address different views on religious freedom.
The first session will focus on the history and philosophy of religious freedom. The speakers will be Francesco D'Agostino (University of Rome La Sapienza ) and Adriano Roccucci (University of Rome III) and the president will be Adriano Fabris (Department of Theology, Lugano).
The second session will be devoted to religious persecution around the world and legal recourse against it. The speakers will be Ganoune Diop (Adventist church) and Antonio Fuccillo (University of Naples II). President is yet to be nominated.
The third session will be devoted to the conflict between religious freedom and freedom of expression. Gianfreda Anna (University of Piacenza) and Luigi Foffani (University of Modena) will be the speakers and Enrico Vitali (University of Milan) the president.
The fourth session will be devoted to the conflict between religious freedom and public order. Speakers will be Mazzola Roberto (University of Piedmont) and Claudius Luterbacher (Diocese of St. Gallen). The president will be Libero Gerosa (Department of Theology, Lugano), while Silvio Ferrari (University of Milan) and Stefan Muckl (Albert-Ludwigs -Universität Freiburg im Breisgau) will conclude the session with some suggestions.
The full program for the conference can be viewed at: www.istitutodirecom.ch
For any other information: pacillov@gmail.com
Translation in German and French will be available.
picture: Prof. Giampiero Vassallo, PARL (Public Affairs & Religious Liberty) Director of the FSRT (Federation Suisse Romande et du Tessin);
