Syrian Future Movement’s (SFM) Paper on Religions and Values

“Preparing a good and reforming citizen in work and knowledge, in material and spirit, in culture and belief, based on the values of religions” is a text representing the vision and approach of the Syrian Future Movement (SFM). This vision in relation to religion is guided by the following principles:

• Religion is a personal human choice; therefore, no entity or component can impose or reject it. Religion is a belief linked to faith, with its legislations, and it is crowned by behaviors.
• All religions, despite their differences, share the common denominator of enhancing and establishing common human values, prioritizing coalition over conflict, and putting the system of common values before the differing judgments specific to each religion.
• As a Syrian civil movement, the Syrian Future Movement (SFM) treats all its members, cadres, and affiliates equally, regardless of their religions, sects, and denominations.
  The distinction is made by good deeds for humanity and service to the homelands.
• The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) emphasizes the importance of freedom of religion and belief and the protection of followers of each religion, whether from internal authoritarian interventions or external destructive influences.
• The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) stresses the prevention of the exploitation of religions by any political authority or manipulation by security apparatuses.
• The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) views the Syrian state as a moral entity that should not be affiliated with any religion, thus obligated to protect the followers of all religions, respect their particularities, and guarantee their freedom to practice their rituals and abide by their legislations, ensuring harmony in their lives between their religious convictions and national behavior.
• The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) sees the management of religious differences, and the resulting differences in legislations, as being achieved through the promotion of a culture of dialogue first, then acceptance of the majority’s choice through a free and elected parliament, which represents the most acceptable and realistic popular foundation for Syrians.
• The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) calls for and encourages regular meetings of Syrian religious leaders, both Muslims (of their sects) and non-Muslims (of their denominations), to explore common values and organize them within a national social contract, considering it a civilizational choice indispensable for achieving civil peace and security.
• The Syrian Future Movement (SFM) views the diversity of religions in Syria as a positive, enriching, and influential social factor, provided there is no disrespect for beliefs of any kind or attacks on followers of any religion.