In previous ages, religious persecution was widespread. People proclaimed the truth at the cost of losing their lives. God initiated a process in history which resulted in the recognition of freedom as an absolute right of the individual. In 1945, the United Nations was formed and all countries of the world signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It guaranteed freedom not only to practice a religion but to preach it as well. The only condition to the exercise of freedom in the present age is to refrain from violence.