Our Readers' Opinions
October 14, 2014

TIRL says thanks on the occasion of sixth anniversary

Tue, Oct 14, 2014

Editor: On October 12, 2014, the Thusian Institute for Religious Liberty Inc celebrated six years since its official launch as a non-profit Human Rights Education institute.

We sincerely thank you, the general public, for your support throughout the past six years and solicit your continued support, as we continue to serve you in advancing our mission “to provide a range of human rights services geared to advance respect for,{{more}} and to increase constitutional protections for individual rights and freedoms, liberty of conscience in particular across the regions of the globe;…” (Mission statement of the Thusian Institute for Religious Liberty Inc) This aspect of our mission was accomplished during the referendum of 2009, where almost 57 per cent of Vincentians voted “NO” to stop a constitution that threatened among other things, the right to private property of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“…to undertake initiatives to accentuate the problem-solving potential of the field of human rights to affirm its validity as the ideal approach to social issues, human enterprises and solutions;…”Ibid. This is done through our weekly radio programme called Your Rights and You on Cross Country Radio where we have given education on the God-given origin, benefit and need for the death penalty. We have also shown why no one has a right to be a sodomite and have shown the danger of the legalization of sodomy in any society. We have also produced a series of human rights textbooks called Yes You Have Rights.

“…to advance the case for the international adoption of Republicanism, given that it is the platform for the free society-pursuant to the maximum flourishing of personal freedoms with its limitless effects of advancement, individually and nationally;…”Ibid. TIRL has been vocal in advocating Republicanism as the ideal form of government throughout the world and has condemned the violation of the Religious Liberty Right of Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who was arrested and charged with apostasy from the religion of Islam. We also condemn the anti-right behaviour of ISIS, who want to set up an Islamic state based on Sharia law which is opposite to the principles of Republicanism.

“…all towards the sole goal of creating social environments conducive to greater levels of human civility and development; the free and full conscientious exercise of religion and the unhindered freedom of expression and of the press.”Ibid. TIRL has repeatedly addressed the importance of tolerance and the different reactions to criticism. We have also shown the importance of free expression and free press as a means of putting a check on governments, for example.

TIRL believes that ongoing human rights education is a major cure to societal problems of crime and violence. We understand that respect for inalienable, God-given rights and freedoms is the recipe for improved interpersonal relations, which is needed in our society.

Again, we thank you and we commit ourselves to serving you for the coming year. May God bless you.

The Thusian Institute for Religious Liberty Inc