Religious beliefs have been present for millenniums and their beginnings
are in the very essence of both humans and communities, and
even countries. The Republic of Macedonia along with all other states
which were once part of the common Yugoslav federation has two periods
of treatment of the issue of religious freedom, i.e. the freedom of
conscience and religion.
The well-known concept of separation of religious feelings from the
state-legal system was practiced in the former common federation. Relying
on that concept and upon gaining independence, the Republic of
Macedonia has developed a different, primarily symbiotic blend of the
state with its two biggest religious communities, thus attempting to
deal with this extremely sensitive issue, more or less successfully,
which is actually the basic principle of human freedoms.
To foster a climate of religious tolerance, political and religious leaders
should take a human rights-based approach and clearly affirm the importance
of the right to freedom of religion or belief in all its dimensions.
Guarantee of freedom of conscience and religion and its regulation
with international and regional legal instruments is undoubtedly the
foundation of every modern democracy.