Festivals of Religious Freedom--The Rationale

The years 2008 and 2009 have been designated as two special years to emphasize all around the world a new concept of large church convocations known as Festivals of Religious Freedom.  This initiative is the result of a vision by Dr. John Graz, Public Affairs & Religious Liberty Director for the world Seventh-day Adventist Church.

This concept of large festivals and convocations with the unique purpose of celebrating and expressing gratitude for the benefits and advantages provided by religious freedom has been piloted with success in various countries of the world. 

As a Christian community that endorses and proclaims the conviction that God created all people with the right to choose their beliefs, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is called to implement this initiative in all countries where it is feasible and to thereby preserve what has been accomplished through sacrifice and good will through the years. 

The idea is simple, the concept is well focused, and the scope is wider than we can imagine.  The sincere expression of “Thank you for religious freedom,” expressed in various ways through the festivals, is a positive message to be delivered to public officials, to the community at large, and to all believers who enjoy the benefits of religious freedom around the world.

Festivals of Religious Freedom will embrace the following:  

• Gratitude to God
• Gratitude to country  
• Gratitude to public authorities
• Gratitude to institutions and organizations promoting religious freedom
• Gratitude to leaders of this noble cause
• Gratitude in memory of those who died in defense of religious freedom
• Gratitude to those who anonymously have been supporting religious freedom from behind the curtains

During the festivals, emphasis will be given to thanking the host country and the presiding authorities who support religious freedom as an extension of justice and respect for human dignity.  “Religious freedom is a conquest of man, a basic human right, and a God-given gift,” according to John Graz.

Graz continues, “Festivals of Religious Liberty have already been organized in many countries, including Romania, South Korea, the Philippines, Brazil, Peru, Ghana, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Guyana, and the Ukraine.  In 2006 the first mega festival was organized in Sao Paulo, Brazil with 12,000 participants.  Mega festivals are already planned for 2008 and 2009 in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and other continents.”

Expected outcomes of this initiative include the following:

• A vibrant and grateful church
• An appreciative spirit in those who recognize the great legacy of religious freedom
• A church able to count its blessings and extend them to those who have not yet heard the gospel
• A positive impact on public officials
• Appropriate recognition of those who have provided outstanding support to the cause of religious liberty

It is time to say “Thank you for religious freedom!”  It is time to seize the torch of religious liberty and carry it to the whole world!

Alfredo Garcia-Marenko, GC PARL Assistant to the Director for Special Projects