Liberty of Conscience discussed at forum in Kazakhstan

A scientific-practical conference on the topic "Liberty of Conscience: Guarantee of Inter-confessional and Civil Dialogue" has opened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan's southern capital.

The aim of the conference is to let people get together and discuss the problem of religious liberty, especially from the point of view of inter-confessional and civil dialogue between people, John Graz, the Secretary-General of the International Religious Liberty Association said at the opening of the forum on Wednesday.

Recent events have shown that religious aims can be substituted and influence world developments, can cause wars and other unforeseen consequences, John Graz noted.

According to him, religion should be a factor of peace and builder of society. People should learn to understand their main views and respect opinions of others.

Delegates from Norway, the USA and CIS countries are taking part in the conference, the Kazakhstan Today news agency said.