With the latest political-social events I have found some people on Twitter defending that religion should be reduced to the private sphere. Cases of disrespect such as the puppeteers in Madrid, the "madrenuestra" in Barcelona and the trial of Rita Maestre, lead some to justify such disrespect based on the idea that Spain is a "secular state" and that this is not fulfilled in practice.
To begin with, let us clarify that the Spanish State is neither secular nor secularist, but non-denominational. And it is not the same thing. Article 16.3 of the Constitution establishes that "no denomination shall have a state character, the public authorities shall take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and shall maintain the consequent relations of cooperation with the Catholic Church and other denominations".
On the other hand, article 16 of the Constitution ".guarantees the ideological, religious and worship freedom of individuals and communities...". In turn, Organic Law 7/1980 develops this point and speaks of facilitating religious assistance in public places, as well as the right to receive religious training in educational centers supported by the state.
In Spain, therefore, freedom of religious expression is not only a fundamental right in the private sphere, but also in the public sphere. But, in addition, Jesus himself asked us: "Go and preach the good news to all nations.". Therefore, one can and should express one's faith publicly. In the Middle East, where Christians risk their lives for Christ, they have no fears or complexes. Perhaps we should learn from them. The situation of religious intolerance that we are living in Spain seems to me an opportunity to make our fundamental religious rights be respected, although not in any way, but from peace and coherence with the Gospel. It is time to live and express our faith without complexes.
