John Stuart Mill's Principle on Liberty and the Regulation of Freedom of Religion: The Case of Good News International Church in Kilifi, Kenya

Abstract

The misuse of religious freedom has become a major concern in modern society, with cases of abuse leading to tragic outcomes, as seen in events such as the Shakahola tragedy in Kenya. In this context, the study analyses the relationship between religious liberty and public security, with reference to John Stuart Mill’s Principle on Liberty. Mill’s Principle on Liberty implies that every person has a right to practice what they believe in as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. In this regard, the research examines how Mill’s principle can be used to guide discussions on the need to regulate freedom of worship in Kenya in the face of increased cases of extreme religious teachings. As a result, the study responds to an ongoing polemical discussion of constitutional rights and moderated religious abuse, questioning the relevance of state’s interferences. It also looks at certain implications of absolute religious liberties and the general need to interrogate such liberties pursuant to religious rights that do not endanger society. In line with Mill’s harm principle as a framework of reference, the research intends to support the formulation of the rationality of the policies regarding religious activities, which the government can implement to protect the freedom of religion and, at the same time, prevent the potential harms caused by some extremist religious beliefs and practices such as those propagated by the Good News International Church. To address the research problem, the researcher undertook library research and applied critical reflective discourse analysis to identify how extreme preaching at the Good News International Church (GNIC) causes harm to the followers. Additionally, the study explored how society can balance religious freedom and public safety, examining ways to prevent harm from extreme religious preaching while respecting individuals' rights to worship.