The constitution of Poland was amended in 1988 to guarantee equal rights to citizens irrespective of religion; freedom of conscience, belief and religious practice; and separation of church and state. Infringement on these rights is, under the constitution, punishable, as is the "spreading of hatred or contempt, the provocation of disputes, or humiliation..." based upon religion.
Unfortunately, the Polish nation does not have a recent tradition of religious freedom or an established body of civil rights law to protect the rights of small religious minorities. In reality, the Catholic Church exercises considerable power in the nation. The pro-Catholic party won the last election. State-run radio broadcasts Catholic masses and the Catholic Church is the only body other than NBC which is authorized to relicense radio and television stations to operate on frequencies assigned to it. Public schools provide religious education classes at state expense. This instruction is provided primarily by representatives of the Catholic Church, although in some cases, upon request, instruction is provided in the Protestant, Orthodox and Jewish faiths which are legally registered with the government. While students are supposed to have the option of taking an ethics course instead, in most schools, such courses do not exist.
The 1996 US State Department Report on Human Rights states, "Citizens enjoy the freedom to practice any religion they choose. Religious groups may organize, select and train personnel, solicit and receive contributions, publish, and engage in consultations without government interference." While this is the case for established religions which are legally recognized by the Polish government, new and small religious groups face innumerable obstacles and difficulties in practicing and promulgating their beliefs.
The Polish government has declared the Unification Church to be a dangerous sect and publishes literature attacking the church. The public schools teach against the Unification Church. The church is not allowed to publish, distribute literature, hold public meetings or speak in public. Registration for the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP), a student organization founded by Reverend Moon, as a campus organization has been denied. Members of the Unification Church in Poland have been subjected to forced "deprogramming."
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Poland
Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief Report on Poland
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