- "Freedom of religion or religious liberty is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community [...] to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance."
An exploration of the concept of religious freedom, including legal protections, historical and contemporary debates, and international perspectives.
Religious Freedom: The concept of religious freedom refers to the right of individuals or communities to practice their religion without interference from the government, social institutions or other individuals. It is often rooted in constitutional and human rights protections.
Separation of Church and State: This principle outlines the essential separation between the state and religion in political, social and cultural contexts. It is highly debated in many countries and can take many forms.
Religion and Politics: This topic investigates the relationships between religion and politics, including the influence of religious beliefs on political decisions, the role of religious groups in political campaigns, and the government’s role in regulating or supporting religious activity.
The Establishment Clause: The Establishment Clause refers to the part of the First Amendment to the US Constitution that prohibits the government from establishing an official state religion or providing preferential treatment to any particular religion.
Freedom of Expression: This topic explores the concept of freedom of expression, which is often interconnected with religious freedom. It covers freedom of speech, the press, religion, assembly, and petition.
Blasphemy Laws: Blasphemy laws are legal rules intended to protect religious beliefs from offense or derogatory statements. They can have a significant impact on religious freedom, free expression, and human rights.
Religion and Human Rights: This topic examines the relationship between religious beliefs and human rights. It covers issues such as religious persecution, discrimination, freedom of conscience, and the right to practice one's religion.
Comparative Religion: Comparative religion explores the study of the world’s religions, their beliefs, practices, and histories. It helps put into context the values, beliefs, and practices of different religions.
Tolerance and Pluralism: This topic investigates the role of tolerance and pluralism in religious freedom. It covers the principles of accommodating different religions and beliefs within a society and strategies for fostering mutual respect.
Strengthening Religious Freedom: This topic includes strategies and policies to strengthen religious freedom, such as legal protections, education and awareness-raising, advocacy, and social justice. It may also involve exploring the role of civil and political institutions in promoting religious freedom.
Freedom to worship: The freedom to practice the religion of choice without persecution or discrimination.
Freedom of conscience: The freedom to hold and express one's religious beliefs without fear of punishment or reprisal.
Freedom of speech: The freedom to express religious beliefs through conversations, public speeches, or other forms of expression without facing legal consequences.
Freedom of association: The freedom to gather with others of one's own choosing for religious purposes without interference from the state or others.
Freedom of assembly: The freedom to assemble in a peaceful and non-disruptive manner with others for religious purposes.
Freedom of expression: The freedom to express one's religious beliefs in art, literature, music, and other forms of expression without censorship.
Freedom of religion in public places: The freedom to practice one's religion in public places such as schools, universities, and public buildings without interference from the state.
Freedom of religion in the workplace: The freedom to practice one's religion in the workplace without discrimination, such as wearing religious clothing.
Freedom of religion in education: The freedom to teach and learn about religion in educational settings without censorship or discrimination.
Freedom of conversion: The freedom to change one's religion or choose not to practice any religion at all.
Freedom of religion and the rule of law: The freedom to practice one's religion without violating the law, and the freedom to have laws that protect religious rights.
Political Freedom of Religion: The freedom to engage in political activity, free from discrimination based on religion, as well as the freedom to hold public office without discrimination based on religion.
The freedom of religion from persecution and violence: The freedom to practice one's religion without fear of violence from the state or individuals.
- "It also includes the freedom to change one's religion or beliefs, 'the right not to profess any religion or belief,' or 'not to practice a religion' (often referred to as 'freedom from religion')."
- "Freedom of religion is considered by many people and most nations to be a fundamental human right."
- "In a country with a state religion, freedom of religion is generally considered to mean that the government permits religious practices of other communities besides the state religion, and does not persecute believers in other faiths or those who have no faith."
- "Freedom of religion goes beyond freedom of belief, which allows the right to believe what a person, group, or religion wishes, but it does not necessarily allow the right to practice the religion or belief openly and outwardly in a public manner."
- "Freedom of worship is uncertain but may be considered to fall between the two terms."
- "The term 'belief' is considered inclusive of all forms of irreligion, including atheism, humanism, existentialism, or other schools of thought."
- "Whether non-believers or humanists should be considered for the purposes of freedom of religion is a contested question in legal and constitutional contexts."
- "Crucial in the consideration of this liberty is whether religious practices and motivated actions which would otherwise violate secular law should be permitted due to the safeguarding freedom of religion."
- "Whether religious practices and motivated actions which would otherwise violate secular law should be permitted due to the safeguarding freedom of religion [is debated]."
- "(In American jurisprudence) United States v. Reynolds or Wisconsin v. Yoder [...] (in European law) S.A.S. v. France, and numerous other jurisdictions."
- "Freedom of religion [extends] [...] in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance."
- "It also includes the freedom to change one's religion or beliefs."
- "It also includes [...] 'the right not to profess any religion or belief.'"
- "Freedom of religion is generally considered to mean that the government permits religious practices of other communities besides the state religion and does not persecute believers in other faiths or those who have no faith."
- "In a country with a state religion, freedom of religion is generally considered to mean that the government permits religious practices of other communities besides the state religion."
- "Freedom of religion [...] does not necessarily allow the right to practice the religion or belief openly and outwardly in a public manner."
- "Freedom of worship is uncertain but may be considered to fall between the two terms."
- "The term 'belief' is considered inclusive of all forms of irreligion, including atheism, humanism, existentialism, or other schools of thought."
- "Whether non-believers or humanists should be considered for the purposes of freedom of religion is a contested question in legal and constitutional contexts."