To make, acquire and use to an adequate extent the necessary articles and materials related to the rites and customs of a religion or belief;

The right to make, acquire and use the necessary articles and materials related to the rites and customs of a religion or belief, such as the use of bells, candles or ritual wine is a freedom usually not limited by a state. However, in some countries the use of animals for ritual slaughter is prohibited because of public health laws, or the use of peyote for indigenous religious rites as being against drug laws. States may curtail activities because of the social tension it causes. The use of amplifiers in the Muslim call to prayer has been a subject of such tension in a suburban area of Detroit , Michigan because of city noise ordinances.

Related Examples

• France : In France , the National Assembly in February, 2004 passed a law prohibiting Muslim girls from wearing the headscarf, hejab, in public schools. Christian students are not allowed to wear large crosses and other religions are prohibited from clothing displaying religious affiliations.
  
• United States : In Minnesota , public health laws prevent Hmong immigrants from slaughtering animals in their bathrooms to celebrate animist rituals. Accommodations were made for Hmong, Muslims and others to have a slaughterhouse for ritual ceremonies outside city limits, but even then objections were raise by rural neighbors.
  
• Great Britain : Special exemptions to protective headgear laws for motor bikes were granted to allow Sikhs to keep their turbans on while riding.

Learning Experiences

The research into this freedom in your community should be on limitations placed by local government according to your own cultures and customs. There are many countries that do not have limitations based on regulations in the previous examples. Identify your own local rules based on the culture and customs of your own country and invite a speaker into class to talk about them.

TOPIC NOTES

Term 6.1.3: Acquire and Use Materials for Rites and Customs

To make, acquire and use to an adequate extent the necessary articles and materials related to the rites and customs of a religion or belief;

Are there any public health laws in your community to prevent the acquisition and use of animals or materials for rites and customs of a religion or belief? What about the use of head coverings for Muslim girls in schools, or turbans for Sikh men in employment? What about drug laws that restrict indigenous religious rites? Summarize the research on your community below.