In many parts of the world whether you believe in God or not, whether you practise a religion or not, is seen as a personal choice – and a choice that everyone is free to make. This basic principle is set out in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Freedom of belief also includes the freedom not to believe. As the UN Human Rights Committee made clear in 1993, the Universal Declaration “protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess