Church condemns religious intolerance; supports all religions right to free expression
Saturday 4 October 2008, 5:04PM
By Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
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Speaking out against religious intolerance, and the support of freedom of thought and religious expression, is behind the Presbyterian Church’s endorsement of the National Statement on Religious Diversity for Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Presbyterian Church Moderator, the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding says everyone has the right to be treated with respect whatever their belief, “Through the teaching in school of different religious and spiritually traditions, ignorance and bigotry can be dispelled from future generations”.
The national statement, which aims to stop all forms of religious intolerance, has already been endorsed by 14 New Zealand religious groupings.
“It is important that our Church contributes to building a civil society; freedom of thought and religious expression is essential to such a society,” Right Rev Dr Graham Redding said.