Facebook infringes upon religious rights


25 Jun, 2023
 None    North America

Charly Urso


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Dear Mr. Zuckerberg,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I am writing to you today to express my deep concerns regarding my recent interactions with the Facebook/Meta support team. As a valued user of your platform and a member of the International Raelian Movement (see Raelian Movement), I feel compelled to bring to your attention the challenges I have encountered and the impact they have had on my rights and freedoms.

First and foremost, I would like to emphasize the importance of religious freedom and respect for diverse beliefs. The International Raelian Movement is an officially recognized religion in the United States, and our religious symbol, which includes the Swastika, holds profound significance for our community. Moreover, it is important to emphasize that the Swastika holds deep meaning for millions of Hindus, Buddhists, and Raelians alike. For these communities, the Swastika symbolizes peace and benevolence thus representing their belief in infinity in time and the concept of eternity.

More importantly, I find it disheartening that my original post, which aimed to promote the rehabilitation of the Swastika in honor of Swastika Rehabilitation Day on June 24th, was removed without sufficient explanation or consideration of its cultural and religious context. Instead, I received a warning, and both my Facebook account and the US Raelian Movement page that I manage were subjected to restrictions.

The restrictions placed on the US Raelian Movement's Facebook page, along with the implications for my personal account, have significantly impeded my ability to exercise my freedom of expression and share my religious and philosophical views. I firmly believe in the importance of open dialogue and the respectful exchange of ideas, and it is disheartening to see these principles compromised.

While I acknowledge that Facebook/Meta is a private company with its own set of rules and policies, I urge you to consider the broader implications of how your platform handles topics that may diverge from mainstream narratives or challenge popular opinions. It is crucial to foster an environment where users can freely express their beliefs and engage in constructive and respectful conversations without fear of arbitrary restrictions or suppression.

I kindly request your personal attention on this matter in order to ensure a fair and thorough review of my case. I firmly believe that open dialogue and understanding can lead to positive change. I am prepared to provide any additional information or engage in further discussions to achieve a resolution that upholds the principles of freedom of speech and religious expression.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I remain hopeful that my concerns will be taken seriously, and together we can work towards a platform that respects and values the diverse beliefs and opinions of its users.

Sincerely,

Charly Urso

https://www.rael.org/swastika