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Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship Religious freedom is a basic human right that gives our lives dignity and meaning and enables all of us to think, act upon, and express what we deeply believe. It’s recognized in constitutions and declarations the world over. In his article What Is Religious Freedom? Robert Hales notes that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . .” International human rights documents likewise recognize the universality of freedom of religion and belief. Article 18 of the United nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”
Religious freedom is our birthright as human beings. It’s the architecture that allows diverse faiths and beliefs, yours and mine, to coexist. In other words, it’s the right to live our oral convictions freely, in public and with room to flourish.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints appreciate the significance of religious freedom. Early Mormon pioneers moved across America’s plains, enduring many hardships to find a place to worship freely. Joseph Smith, the founding President of the Church, regarded religious freedom with such conviction that he made the belief an integral part of Mormonism’s tradition and scripture. One of the Church’s Articles of Faith reads, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” Robert Hales quotes the Prophet Joseph Smith: “I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or […]