Religious Freedom in Cyberspace and its Impact on International Peace and Security: With Some References to Islamic Teachings

Along with the increasing development of cyberspace, the scope of influence of religion is extended universally and the process of its globalization is improved. This fact, through paving the way for integration among different faiths and religions, potentially can decrease the religious conflicts and consequently promote international peace and security. Globalization of faith requires the acceptance of freedom of faith and religion as a fundamental principle of International Human Rights Law and the universal nature of cyberspace plays a direct role in this regard. Although the right to choose and have faith is fully recognized under human rights rules, the right to express belief in cyberspace is not an absolute one and is faced with some restrictions. Criteria such as respecting rights and dignity of others and public morals, prohibition of calling to religious hatred and prohibition of ideologies based on religious superiority are among restrictions imposed on faith freedom in cyberspace. The present paper, through a descriptive-analytic method and by means of a human rights approach and with a view to Islamic teachings, attempts to illustrate the position of religious freedom in cyberspace and its impacts on international peace and security. The authors maintain that promoting the noble teachings of Islam as to peace and tolerance toward other faiths in cyberspace can play a notable role in religious integration in the world and provides the maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security.