Abstract
Since the new Constitution came into force, there has been an increase in the number of high-demand religious groups. The more accommodating and tolerant approach towards religions brought about by the Constitution has created a fertile environment for the development of alternative religious groups. In certain cases, unfortunately, this has resulted in the violation of other basic human rights within the confines of these groups. There is very little monitoring of the various religions in South Africa and these violations seem to be on the increase. A need arose to oppose the infringement of human rights in high-demand religious groups. The organisation RIGH (Rights of Individuals Grant Honour To) was established to address this need. This article aims, first, to point out how the exercising of one basic human right, in this particular case the right to freedom of religion as exercised in Hertzogville, led to the violation of other basic human rights. Secondly, it suggests ways of opposing the infringements on other basic human rights by high-demand religious groups.
Highlights
The seeds of apartheid were sown in 1910 after the Reunited National Party won the white minority elections
According to this ideology: a separate Afrikaans nation, with a western civilization, was appointed by God to play a dominant role in South Africa until the end of time
This ideology was further supported by the Bible, the Dutch Reformed, Reformed and the Hervormde church, who all embraced this ideology as the right path (Verkuyl s.a.:1; De Grunchy 2005:3133; Hexham 1981:59-60)
Summary
The seeds of apartheid were sown in 1910 after the Reunited National Party won the white minority elections. The victory was seen as a miracle and clear proof that God was watching over his people – the white people (Anon 2007:1) This view reinforced the belief in some kind of divine preference of the white race that later led to the apartheid era. According to this ideology: a separate Afrikaans nation, with a western civilization, was appointed by God to play a dominant role in South Africa until the end of time (de Grunchy 2005:33; Moodie 1975:1). This ideology was further supported by the Bible, the Dutch Reformed, Reformed and the Hervormde church, who all embraced this ideology as the right path (Verkuyl s.a.:1; De Grunchy 2005:3133; Hexham 1981:59-60). The human rights point of view addresses the very issue at stake and seems the most appropriate
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