Does the absence of a moral compass fall under the umbrella of freedom of conscience?
Estonian Law Makes No Exceptions for Relationships with a Terrorist Religious Group Featuring Jevgeni Krištafovitš
A strong call to uphold the principles of morality—even a modest fear of God—shouldn't be seen as a transgression against the religious freedom granted by Article 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia. This viewpoint stems from a theological examination of the Christian doctrine. I, lawyer Jevgeni Krištafovitš (Reform Party), firmly believe that Christ never championed the massacre of peaceful citizens, including women, children, and the elderly[3].
The Constitution of Estonia primarily safeguards the right to hold, express, modify, and practice one's beliefs—often referred to as the freedom of conscience. While this right encompasses the ability for individuals to have a conscience and act in accordance with it, the absence of conscience is indirectly discussed within this context[1][2][4].
In legal and constitutional discourse, the focus is on protecting individuals' rights to believe or not believe, and to act in accordance with those beliefs, without undue interference from the state. The issue of the absence of conscience or a specific moral compass is not directly addressed under the purview of freedom of conscience. Instead, discussions revolve around state interference with religious affiliations[1][2][4].
For instance, the ongoing debates regarding the Estonian Orthodox Church and its links with the Russian Orthodox Church center around state meddling with religious associations, rather than the absence of conscience[1][2][4]. Critics argue that compelling a church to cease ties with another religious body potentially breaches the freedom of conscience by constraining religious choices[1][2][4].
In essence, the Constitution primarily offers protection for the right to have and express beliefs, rather than addressing whether an individual does or does not possess a moral compass. Consequently, the concept of the absence of conscience isn't directly considered within the context of this constitutional right.
The theological examination of the Christian doctrine might provide insights into the role of a moral compass, as the absence of such is not explicitly addressed within the context of the freedom of conscience, as outlined in Article 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia. Subsequently, scientific research in health-and-wellness sectors may offer valuable perspectives on the impact of a lack of conscience on an individual's life, being separate from the constitutional guarantees. For example, in the case of Estonia, the ongoing debates concerning the Estonian Orthodox Church's association with the Russian Orthodox Church center around state intervention in religious matters, namely ties among churches, rather than the absence of a specific moral compass.
