Freedom Of Religion And Dialogue

Abstract

Full freedom of religion did not come into existence until the end of the 18th century, and authentic dialogue only in the 20th century. All civilizations had at their heart a religion which shaped and reflected that civilization; all problems had to be resolved within the thought-struc- tures of the dominant state-enforced religion. Those thought limitations sooner or later prevented arriving at the necessary solutions, and thus led to the decline of every civilization except Christendom-Become-West- ern Civilization-Becoming-Global Civilization, which has exponentially surpassed all previous civilizations. The separation of religion from the power of the state has al- lowed the infinite spirit of humanity (Image of God) to continually resolve the always new problems. Dia- logue, meaning being open to learn from the other, moves Globalization from destruction toward construc- tion.