Enlightenment and religious tolerance as a factor in ensuring peace and stability

Abstract

The article considers religious tolerance as the basis for ensuring internal stability and integration of the society, keeping them from upheavals, suppressing the split of nations and states. According to Article 31 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "Freedom of conscience is guaranteed for all. Everyone has the right to profess any religion or not to profess anyone. Forced imposition of religious beliefs is unacceptable". As noted in Article 61 of the Constitution, "religious organizations and associations are separated from the state and are equal before the law. The state does not interfere in the activities of religious associations". The article considers that religion embraces various interaction processes: communication, socialization, transference of religious experience, development of ties between individual believers, between believers and the religious community, the clergy, between religious organizations of different religions. The article discusses freedom of conscience – the guaranteed constitutional right of citizens to profess any religion or not to profess anyone. As noted in Article 3 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations", any compulsion is not allowed when a citizen determines his attitude to religion, to profess or not to profess religion, to participate or not to participate in religious services, religious rites and ceremonies, in receiving religious education. The involvement of minors in religious organizations, as well as the training of their religion against their will, the will of their parents or persons replacing them, is not allowed. The exercise of freedom to practice religion or other convictions is subject only to those restrictions that are necessary to ensure national security and public order, life, health, morality, rights and freedoms of other citizens. Foreign citizens and stateless persons enjoy the right to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion on an equal basis with citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan and bear the responsibility established by law for violation of legislation on freedom of conscience and religious organizations.