Our Beliefs: Secularism
democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal rather than religion-specific values.1
We believe in the concept of the modern secular state. Although we respect the deeply held religious beliefs of many in Northern Ireland and defend their right in all cases to have the freedom to practise their beliefs in an intimidation and threat-free environment, we also believe that no one person’s or group’s beliefs should be imposed against the wishes, or to the detriment, of the wider community.
We believe in the freedom of choice and as long as our actions do not impinge on any other person’s life or rights, our society’s citizens should be free to practise whatever life-styles and make whatever choices they see fit.
The traditional Ulster character was individualistic, non-conformist and suspicious of government interference in their lives. Over the years many (witness for example, the great migrations of the 17th and 18th centuries) left the province because they felt that they would be prevented from achieving their full potential by the ruling government or social/moral climate of the day. We believe that within Northern Ireland there is an over-involvement of government in our everyday lives, evidenced by a number of laws which exist to impose conformity to one standard interpretation of a particular set of beliefs.
We therefore believe that in a free society, legislation on issues such as abortion, Sunday observance and licensing laws should tend towards individual choice, not public dictat. Every one of us has our own personal conscience and our politicians and government owe it to each citizen to permit him or her to exercise it.
1Barack Obama, Illinois Senator