Free Speech and Freedom of Religion Belong Hand in Hand

The First Amendment ensures fundamental freedoms: freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly. Because they are listed out separately, we sometimes might fall into the problem of forgetting how closely linked and overlapping these freedoms are. Freedom of speech and religion also means freedom of speech about religion, even offensive, hateful speech. Yet, in many parts of the world where the dream of religious freedom is not a true reality, open discussion of religion is not tolerated. On Tuesday in Bangladesh, a blogger who wrote for a website that promoted secularism was brutally murdered by a group of four men. This attack was the third fatal attack on a Bangladeshi blogger since February. The blogger, Ananta Bijoy Dash, was chased by the four men through the streets and his body was left near a pond after the attack. Unfortunately, Dash’s attack was disturbingly familiar. Dash wrote for Free Mind, a website that Avijit Roy, a Bangladeshi-American blogger, had moderated before being murdered by machete-wielding assailants while leaving a book fair in the nation’s capital. Five weeks after Roy’s death, another blogger, Oyasiqur Rhaman, was murdered by three men with machetes as well. These men were part of a movement known as Shahbag, which called for the death of Islamist political leaders who were implicated in atrocities committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. Dash was also an activist in the Shahbag movement and was described by friends as an atheist. In Bangladesh, the killings of bloggers have hit a nerve, where there is a deepening divide between conservative Muslims and secular people over whether Bangladesh should be an Islamic or secular nation. These tragedies around the world remind us why it is so important to advocate for international religious freedom. As Reform Jews, we understand intimately the importance of international religious freedom, and our Movement has long been an advocate for the rights of religious minorities around the world. We believe firmly that all individuals must be able to live according to the teachings of their faith – or non-faith. Our tradition teaches us, “God said to Moses: Is there anyone whom I do not respect? Whether it be Israelite or Gentile, man or woman, slave or handmaid, whoever does a good deed, shall find the reward at its side” (Midrash Yalku Lech Lecha 76). We learn from this text that we should be judged based on our deeds, not our religious beliefs. As we as individuals seek to live our lives conscious of being created in the image of the Divine (Genesis 1:27), these tragedies remind us that we must work to ensure that no one is discriminated based on his or her religious or secular beliefs. Check out our website for more information about our work on international religious freedom.