Ernst M.H. Hirsch Ballin Sophie C. van Bijsterveld*

FREEDOM AND RELIGION: A PERSPECTIVE FOR THE FUTURE

1. A CONTEXT OF DYNAMICS

Fundamental rights' have no conclusive outline. The dynamics of society necessitate the search for new roads in the interpretation of fundamental rights in order to meet their original purpose. Their formula- tion and subject matter must undergo continuous renewal. A survey of freedom of expression has little significance without taking into account the existence of mass media and electronic communication such as Internet. The right to family life, seemingly pertinent to a pre-eminently traditional reality, has applications which were unforseen at the time of the adoption of the guarantee. In the Western world freedom of religion, compared to other freedoms, seems to experience a period of relative calmness. Admittedly, purposeful breaches of religious freedom by public authorities are scarce and the process of secularization may diminish the sources of conflict. Nevertheless, the developments in modern Western society with regard to (freedom of) religion are not that univocal, even if we ignore the questions raised by increasing religious diversity outside Christianity. The dynamics with respect to religion become particularly apparent when the expression of religious freedom focus not only on worship, indivi-

* Prof. Dr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin is Professor of International at University and he is also Member of the Dutch Parliament. Dr. Sophie van Bijsterveld is university headteacher Constitutional Law at .

' In this essay "fundamental rights" and "human rights" are used interchangeably. dually or with others, but is acknowledged in its social and institutional dimension as well; moreover, when it is recognized as linked to a view of freedom and society itself. Indeed, it seems that disputes in the relationship between church and state in various Western European coun- tries are particularly related to these latter types of issues. To illustrate this, we mention interactions between church and state concerning legislation in the medical-ethical and social field. Although the approach to freedom and government action may not be the only - or even dominant - one in Western Europe at this time, elements are visible which tally with the view that for the full realisation of each's personal wants, any impediments in the public sphere should be done away with. Interference with personal privacy is rejected and in order to allow full autonomy in determining the contours of one's life, government should refrain from taking moral positions. Likewise, a maximum of economic liberty is promoted and government needs to cut down on expenses and limit activities which hinder the free market. Insight into this philosophy is shown in the striking account of "Genera- tion X".2 In the new Eastern European , the regained free- dom along with a (not yet) restored "civil society", also create circum- stances which are favourable to such a philosophy. It is clear that such an approach leads to reactions from the church. This essay deals with the interpretation of fundamental rights and provides a framework for analysing developments in the relationships between church and state with respect to the above-mentioned trends. First, it develops a theory of fundamental rights which reaches beyond the classic dichotomy of state/individual. The new conception of funda- mental rights makes way for social bodies and organizations, including churches. Second, it analyses the attitude towards and the interpretation of fundamental rights by churches. It points out how churches link fundamental rights to a substantional rationality. In discussions with the state, this does not necessarily lead to identical opinions on concrete issues, but it may well correspond with the concept of freedom as entailed in constitutionally guaranteed rights and thus provide a sound starting point for argumentation.

2 See D. COUPLAND, GENERATION X. TALES FOR AN ACCELERATED CULTURE. (London, 1991); USA Today, 26 July, 1995.