從憲法角度觀察心靈成長課程——如何區辨其應受憲法保障或應以刑法制裁？

Examining spiritual growth courses from a constitutional perspective

心靈成長課程是一種帶有多種意涵的行為，無法僅從其名稱外觀一概而論。但從憲法的角度予以觀察，此種課程原則上若是從傳授者的內心所真切認同的思想，藉由多元課程內容所表達，並產生影響參與課程者思想的結果，則應受到言論自由的保障，甚而若在大學中所開設、或從廣義的角度觀察，也受到學術自由的保障。當對於此類受到基本權保障的行為欲予以管制、甚而以刑罰加以制裁，則涉及到對基本權的限制，除了應透過法律予以明確規範外，在適用上也應該遵從謙抑思想，必須謹慎為之。至於在管制上，則應注意言論自由市場機制的功能是否能達成、以及尊重參與課程者同樣享有的言論自由與學習自由。

The concept of a “spiritual growth course” has multiple meanings and cannot be judged solely by its name. From a constitutional perspective, it should be protected under the freedom of speech if such a course conveys ideas that are genuinely embraced by the instructor for influencing the participants’ thoughts; and it may also fall under the protection of academic freedom. When regulatory measures—even criminal sanctions— is some kind of restriction of fundamental rights. These restrictions must be clearly defined by law and applied with restraint, adhering to the principle of minimal intervention. In terms of regulation, it must also be paid to whether the marketplace of ideas can function effectively, and whether the freedom of speech and the freedom to learn, the rights of course participants, should be equally respected.