p. 7 | Portugal and Religious Liberty

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

Portugal and Religious Liberty

In the Episcopal Recorder, of December 12, is an editorial note upon the recent decision of the Lisbon Court of Appeals in reference to the charge brought against the agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. His offense was the distribution of Bibles, and he was charged with “acting prejudicially to the religion of the state.” The judges declared his act could not be so construed, and further that “the Constitutional Charter grants free permission for the exercise of the Protestant religion.” Concerning this matter the journal above named says:—

We are always on the lookout for signs of the progress of religious liberty, and time and again search the world’s horizon as far as we can for such events. . . . The decision of Court of Appeals has been received with no little enthusiasm by the Portuguese people, and the official Gazette warmly congratulates the court upon its decision, and declares that it is high time that “the courts of a civilized and liberal country should repudiate the almost savage ill-treatment accorded to colporteurs.” A decision of this kind can not be without its influence in other Catholic countries.

It is indeed encouraging to see such a manifestation of purpose on the part of Portugal’s high judges. It will mean much for the circulation of the Bible in that country. But had the Portuguese court manifested toward colporteur work in Portugal the same spirit that many religious weeklies of this country are manifesting toward the decision of the New York School Board over religious exercises in the public schools, the Recorder would have had no opportunity to record the noble court decision. Religious liberty is as dear to Americans as to the inhabitants of Portugal, as dear to Jews as to Gentiles; and yet the compelling of Jewish school children to sing Christian songs can hardly be denominated religious liberty. In behalf of religious liberty the New York School Board has ruled out the singing of Christmas carols in the schools. The opposers of this just decision declare, “This is a Christian nation; if the Jews do not like our Christian customs, they do not need to come here.” The Portugal judges might have said: “This is a Catholic nation; if Protestants do not like our Catholic customs, they do not need to come here.” But the spirit of genuine religious liberty does not inhere in any such declaration.