Dear Editor, The Cook Islands is a beautiful nation founded on respect, Christian principles, values, and a commitment to protecting human rights.

However, I am deeply concerned about the misuse of religious freedom to promote harmful ideologies that threaten personal rights, national security, and the well-being of our people.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”

However, this freedom is not absolute. The same framework also allows for limitations where practices threaten public safety, order, health, morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. Our Constitution reflects this balance, as Mr. (Brian) Mason pointed out in his recent letter (28^th November 2024), stating that a religion can only be prohibited if it can be shown to undermine the public good or security.

Let us reflect on what this means in practice. Certain ideologies masquerading as religion promote deeply troubling practices. For instance, some teachings condone child marriages, with girls as young as six being married off under religious justification. Even if consummation is delayed until the age of 9 years old or at puberty, such practices violate the rights and dignity of children. Similarly, certain doctrines call for violence or even the annihilation of others based on their faith, gender, ethnicity, or opposition to their beliefs.

Do we, as Cook Islanders, want such ideologies in our homeland? Who protects us, the child, the family, and the community from doctrines violating their freedoms, safety, and humanity? Our freedom of religion must never come at the expense of these rights.

At its best, religion can foster peace, love, and understanding. However, when it is misused as a tool for harm, we must take constructive steps to ensure that any religious ideologies introduced to the Cook Islands align with our core values of respect, dignity, safety, and Christian principles.

We must vigilantly protect our rights, people, and culture from toxic ideologies that undermine our collective well-being as a nation.

Te Atua te Aroa

Charles Carlson