![\"FINUChC](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/images_news-2019_FINUChC_-_Freedom_of_religion_Diop.jpg\" "\\"Dr")
<\/a>The seminar was organized by SVKN (the Council of Free Churches in Finland), together with most of the established religious bodies, and even included an interview from free-thinkers. No religious or non-religious bodies were excluded.<\/p>\nAbout 80 interested people listened as Diop dealt with the issue of freedom of religion as an inalienable human right. He emphasised that freedom of religion is not only a legal right but is fundamentally connected with the idea of humanity. \u201cIt is a global principle that defines what it means to be human,\u201d he said. According to Diop, freedom of religion is about freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, the right to gather together, and the freedom to make decisions. It is equally an antidote to human exploitation.<\/p>\n
Diop was one of three speakers and eight Members of Parliament who were invited. Former President of Finland Tarja Halonen also participated in the event, which was part of the United Nation\u2019s Week of Mutual Understanding. The event was opened and concluded by the President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Finland, pastor Kalervo Arom\u00e4ki.<\/p>\n
Professor Elina Vuola from the University of Helsinki then dealt with the issue of the importance of understanding religions. She noted how important religious values are outside of Western Europe. More attention is now paid to religions and their values in international relations, she stated. She also warned against the danger of generalizing a religion and its practitioners based on a single crime committed by a member of that religion. She noted some newspapers that like to sensationalise in this way.<\/p>\n