Isn’t, religious freedom (the right to practice or not practice any religion) a sin against the First Commandment.
“Since it rejects or denies the existence of God, atheism is a sin against the first commandment.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed., 2140
Does the Catholic Church considers anyone who rejects the one true God to be an atheist? Or does the Church see atheists as separate and distinct from those who reject the one true God but (also) believe in other (false) gods like Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists?
Atheism is clearly a sin against the First Commandment. But aren’t other religions an equal or even greater sin against the First Commandment?
“The equal toleration of all religions…is the same as atheism.
Pope Leo XIII, “Imortale Dei”
“It was once proposed that all religions persuasions should be free and their worship publicly exercised. We Catholics have rejected this article as contrary to Roman Catholic canon law.”
Pope Pius VII, 1808
“The state (the U.S. Constitution) has not the right to leave every man free to profess and embrace whatever religion he may desire.”
Pope Pius IX
It would appear that the Catholic Church’s position on sins against the First Commandment (religious freedom, tolerance) is changing.
“Religious freedom is of course a fundamental human right and it is my fervent hope and prayer that respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of every man and woman will come to be increasingly affirmed and defended, not only throughout the Middle East, but in every part of the world.”
Pope Benedict XVI, as reported on bbc.com, May 9, 2009.
How does the Catholic Church justify religious freedom when it is a sin against the First Commandment? It doesn’t “tolerate” other sins like murder, infidelity, abortion, contraception, or homosexuality. Rather it speak out and actively campaign against them.
Why is the church changing it’s historical (and biblically correct) position and is now promoting religious freedom?