Policy
Religious Freedom
Respecting human dignity requires that we respect the core elements of how people and groups identify themselves, including their religious beliefs. Religious belief has been a powerful motivation for protecting the rights and liberties of others; it kindled movements to abolish slavery and protect Americans’ civil rights. For millions of Americans, religion is the source of the values required in a free society, such as understanding, respect and sacrifice for others. Additionally, religious institutions provide irreplaceable care for the most vulnerable people in society.
For all of these reasons, the right to exercise religion is a fundamental human right. The law should respect the independence of religious institutions, defend the right of conscience, and protect the right of individuals to act on their religious beliefs, while establishing reasonable protections for public health and safety in a spirit of fairness for all.
Religious Freedom
Respecting human dignity requires that we respect the core elements of how people and groups identify themselves, including their religious beliefs. Religious belief has been a powerful motivation for protecting the rights and liberties of others; it kindled movements to abolish slavery and protect Americans’ civil rights. For millions of Americans, religion is the source of the values required in a free society, such as understanding, respect and sacrifice for others. Additionally, religious institutions provide irreplaceable care for the most vulnerable people in society.
For all of these reasons, the right to exercise religion is a fundamental human right. The law should respect the independence of religious institutions, defend the right of conscience, and protect the right of individuals to act on their religious beliefs, while establishing reasonable protections for public health and safety in a spirit of fairness for all.
Published Research
Conversations
Proactively protecting religious freedom #utpol #religiousfreedom
Religion as a force for good
America's example of religious freedom #utpol #religiousfreedom
A special look at the new film "Free Exercise: America's Story of Religious Liberty"
Utah leading on religious freedom
Growing freedom for others #utpol #religiousfreedom
How to win over religious freedom critics
What good does religion actually do for society?
Legislative wins for religious freedom, family policy and more in the 2024 session
Proactively protecting religious freedom #utpol #religiousfreedom
Religion as a force for good
America's example of religious freedom #utpol #religiousfreedom
Insights & Takeaways
Why the Ninth Circuit unanimously tossed the Huntsman tithing lawsuit
Four judges in concurring opinion say the case was a “transparent fight about the current course of the Church masquerading as a civil lawsuit.”
Ninth Circuit slaps down California’s denial of special ed funds for religious schools
Following Supreme Court precedent, the court holds that excluding religious schools from a grant program is unconstitutional discrimination against religion and a violation of religious freedom.
Religion can help take the venom out of political disagreement
Researchers found that people of faith, although civically involved, did not believe that religion was an appropriate setting for political discussions.
As election season winds down, the U.S. Supreme Court term has just begun
The Supreme Court is being petitioned to consider three cases on religious freedom. Here's why the court should take them on.
How religious communities are leading the hurricane relief effort
As communities across the Southeast recover from Hurricane Helene, religious communities have come together to help.
America’s arduous road to religious freedom
America’s support for religious freedom was not always so broad. To prevent the same mistakes, it’s important to know our country’s history on the issue.
Why the Ninth Circuit unanimously tossed the Huntsman tithing lawsuit
Four judges in concurring opinion say the case was a “transparent fight about the current course of the Church masquerading as a civil lawsuit.”
Ninth Circuit slaps down California’s denial of special ed funds for religious schools
Following Supreme Court precedent, the court holds that excluding religious schools from a grant program is unconstitutional discrimination against religion and a violation of religious freedom.
Religion can help take the venom out of political disagreement
Researchers found that people of faith, although civically involved, did not believe that religion was an appropriate setting for political discussions.