Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 354 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 354 - Part I. Can people be forced to believe in God?

(Youcat answer) No. No one may force others to believe, not even one’s own children, just as no one may be forced to be an unbeliever. A person can make the decision to believe only in complete freedom. Christians, however, are called to help other people, by word and example, to find the way to faith.     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2106) "Nobody may be forced to act against his convictions, nor is anyone to be restrained from acting in accordance with his conscience in religious matters in private or in public, alone or in association with others, within due limits" (DH 2 § 1). This right is based on the very nature of the human person, whose dignity enables him freely to assent to the divine truth which transcends the temporal order. For this reason it "continues to exist even in those who do not live up to their obligation of seeking the truth and adhering to it" (DH 2 § 2).   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Pope John Paul II said, “Proclaiming Christ and bearing witness to him, when done in a way that respects consciences, does not violate freedom. Faith demands a free adherence on the part of man, but at the same time faith must also be offered to him” (Encyclical Redemptoris missio, 1990, no. 8).

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2137) "Men of the present day want to profess their religion freely in private and in public" (DH 15). (CCC 2107) "If because of the circumstances of a particular people special civil recognition is given to one religious community in the constitutional organization of a state, the right of all citizens and religious communities to religious freedom must be recognized and respected as well" (DH 6 § 3).   

(This question: Can people be forced to believe in God? is continued)