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
CommentaryIn fight between Maryland school district and parental rights, U.S. Supreme Court should protect religious freedom
The court should now clarify that depriving parents of a widely recognized right is the type of burden the Constitution is intended to prevent.
InsightsNew research shows why religiously motivated colleges and universities offer far-reaching benefits
Religious schools created much of the infrastructure for education historically and continue to educate many students.
TakeawaysLegislative wrap-up: Five key victories for Utahns
Sutherland worked closely with Utah policymakers to protect and strengthen the important pillars of faith, family and freedom.
InsightsHB 390 would protect religious student groups in higher ed
Utah’s universities must be places of free and open dialogue about religion, politics and ideologies.
InsightsWhy 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.”
InsightsNinth 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.
CommentaryIn fight between Maryland school district and parental rights, U.S. Supreme Court should protect religious freedom
The court should now clarify that depriving parents of a widely recognized right is the type of burden the Constitution is intended to prevent.
InsightsNew research shows why religiously motivated colleges and universities offer far-reaching benefits
Religious schools created much of the infrastructure for education historically and continue to educate many students.
TakeawaysLegislative wrap-up: Five key victories for Utahns
Sutherland worked closely with Utah policymakers to protect and strengthen the important pillars of faith, family and freedom.