1. Introduction
Freedom of religion and belief has a double nature, it is a general human
right, a "cornerstone of the democratic society," its role is comparable to freedom of
expression, and at the same time, a highly important minority right. (Actually, its
career started as a minority right.) Minority rights in general might be seen as signs
of equal recognition by the majority. In those states where the only recognised
minority right beside the equality and non-discrimination is freedom of religion, and
also everywhere in case of new - immigrant - minorities whose minority rights
confined to non-discrimination and freedom of religion, the latter has a special
position. That provides a general protection of identity because there is a significant
overlap between religious and other forms of identity, namely ethnic and cultural
identities. Consequently, the use of religious symbols in public places indicates not
only religious but ethnic and cultural
