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Two meanings of religious freedom & liberty:
1. Freedom of beliefs, speech, & practices and
2. Freedom to restrict services to, to hate, to
denigrate, or to oppress others.

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About the meanings of the terms "religious freedom" and "religious liberty:"

These terms once always referred to an individual's freedom of religious belief, of religious speech, and of religious practice. The individual believer was the target of oppression by others. That is the meaning that we generally use on this web site.

However, in recent years, the terms seem to be taking on a new meaning: the religious freedom and liberty of a believer to hate, oppress, denigrate, or reduce the human rights of other groups. Now it is the believer who is the oppressor and others who are the target. This new meaning is becoming increasingly common. It appears that this new meaning is begin driven by a number of factors:

• The increasing public acceptance of women's use of birth control/contraceptives;
  
  
• The increasing public acceptance of sexual minorities including the LGBT community (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender persons and transsexuals); and
  
  
• The increasing percentage of NOTAs in North America: those who are NOT Affiliated with an organized faith group. Some are Agnostics, Atheists, etc. Others describe themselves as spiritual, but not religious.

Topics covered in this section:

Information about the two meanings of "religious freedom:"

Detailed introduction to the term "religious freedom:"   << We recommend that you read this essay first

Four examples of the conflict:

Two legal cases involving the freedom of religious belief/expression; two involving the freedom to denegrate or refuse to work with others:

Part 1  Part 2

The new meaning of the term:

The freedom to discriminate and oppress others on religious grounds << Sadly, a large & growing section

The traditional meaning of the term: to believe, associate with others, and practice religion freely:

	Status of religious freedom: Snapshot of religious freedom worldwide during 2010: Quotations; freedom status; religious groups threatened with extinction State Department report; religious freedom in Japan, U.S. and Canada Status of religious freedom in the U.S. Overview of conflicts between the U.S. Government, Courts and the religious freedom of individuals & groups Decline of religious freedom in Europe The U.S. government vs. individual religious freedom Decline of religious freedom in Europe Freedom House report on religious freedom Religious freedom and the year 2000 presidential candidates Lack of religious freedom in France Changing one's religion from Islam to another faith (Irtidad) Religious clothing and jewelry in U.S. public schools Canadian religious groups' freedom to discriminate against same-sex marriage
	Statements, speeches, petitions, etc. on religious freedom and tolerance: Excerpts: Excerpts of statements on religious freedom   In the United States: Guaranteeing personal religious freedom Petition to regain and preserve religious freedom Williamsburg Charter on the First Amendment (1988) U.N. report on religious freedom in the U.S. (1998) Speech by President Clinton on religious freedom (1995) Proclamation on diversity and tolerance in Cedar Rapids, IA. Personal pledge of support for religious freedom   International: Declaration of a Global Ethic (1993) Excerpts from "The Principles of a Global Ethic" Statement by UNESCO, on the "Year of Tolerance" (1995) Statement by Pope John Paul II on the World Day of Peace, (1996) Statement by the U.S. on freedom of religion in Europe (1999) The Amman Declaration (1999) concerning the Middle East The Geneva Spiritual Appeal (1999) on an end to religious conflict
	laws and regulations guaranteeing, limiting, or promoting religious freedom: 1777 Thomas Jefferson's bill for religious freedom in Virginia 1786 Virginia's "Act for Establishing Religious Freedom" The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Religious freedom restoration acts Workplace Religious Freedom Act * U.S. "Freedom from Religious Persecution Act" Religious rights within the US military Excerpts of laws guaranteeing religious freedom
	Other topics: Links to web sites dealing with religious freedom An essay donated by Susan Humphreys: "Do people have the right to believe anything they want? Does religious freedom include the right to hurt others?" Brief quotations about tolerance Reducing religion-inspired religious conflicts Religious tolerance and freedom chain letter Constitutional amendment on religious freedom & compulsory prayer
	Related topics: Religiously motivated religious conflict, oppression, & discrimination menu Religious laws of the U.S., Canada and other nations

References used:

1. Paraphrased, with changes, from Forum 18 at: http://www.forum18.org.

2. Jill Lawless, "Christian employee discriminated against for wearing crucifix, court rules," Associated Press, 2013-JAN-15

Copyright © 2006 to 2013 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2006-NOV-05
Latest update: 2013-MAR-10
Author: B.A. Robinson

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