"Everybody has the right to define his attitude towards religion, to profess any religion or not to profess any, either individually or jointly with others, to disseminate and publicize his beliefs concerning religion and to participate in the practice of religious cults, rituals and rites."There are many people who are firmly established in their religious beliefs -- and there is nothing wrong with this. However, there are others who are so convinced that what they believe is the only 'true' religion (to the exclusion of all other religions and philosophies) that they are intolerant towards those persons who believe differently.
Ruhnama I, p. 251
One of the key teachings in Ruhnama is the necessity to demonstrate kindness, love and respect for others. This would also include respecting the 'beliefs' of others, so long as those beliefs do not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of individuals or society. This doesn't mean that we must believe what others believe, but rather that we acknowledge that the beliefs held by others are appropriate for those persons at this stage of their spiritual development.
In the above quotation Turkmenbashy explains that people must be free to profess their chosen religion and to 'disseminate and publicize' those beliefs. But our love and respect for our fellowman stops us from infringing upon the rights of others by trying to force a particular belief system on them.
Turkmenbashy writes:
"Respecting people starts first of all by respecting those around you; because people [society, community, humanity] are made up of them."Respect is different than tolerance. You can tolerate a person or religion without showing respect, which is why I believe Turkmenbashy seldom suggests the concept of tolerance.
Ruhnama II, p. 282
