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
Opt-ins and opt-outs in education #utpol #education
How the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS case will impact parents and schools #utpol #education #scotus
Mahmoud v. Taylor – Part 3: What Should Happen
Mahmoud v. Taylor – Part 2: The Arguments
Mahmoud v. Taylor – Part 1: Case Overview
Proactively protecting religious freedom #utpol #religiousfreedom
Religion as a force for good
America's example of religious freedom #utpol #religiousfreedom
Opt-ins and opt-outs in education #utpol #education
How the Mahmoud v. Taylor SCOTUS case will impact parents and schools #utpol #education #scotus
Insights & Takeaways
New report helps keep an eye on religious freedom in the states
Utah ranks sixth in report that examines 11 religious freedom safeguards such as healthcare conscience protections and other religious exemptions.
Respect for conscience is a natural extension of religious freedom
Federal court in California case backs up doctors who don’t want to take part in assisted suicide process.
Don’t assume partisanship lies beneath justices’ decisions
Partisanship can explain some things, but it is often unhelpful in explaining the work of the Supreme Court.
Religious groups often involved in helping others assert rights
By seeking protection from certain regulation under the freedom of association, religious Americans have helped establish legal precedents that protect nonreligious associations.
Fuss over Alito’s lighthearted comment overshadowed his important points
The Supreme Court justice highlighted the good that comes to nations that provide robust religious freedom protections. “Religious liberty and other fundamental rights tend to go together.”
Pandemic measures, children’s well-being, and the effects of religious practice
Research suggests that the pandemic response hurt children’s education and mental health. Social connectedness, including religious participation, may help offset these harms.
InsightsReligious people shouldn’t avoid the public square
Some of the most prominent conflicts created by the COVID pandemic response involved worship.
InsightsHow a ruling on Amish water disposal signifies protection for all of us
The strength of our commitment to constitutional values is shown by our willingness to extend their protections to unfamiliar and controversial practices.
InsightsCan faith save the planet?
Faith and religious organizations make an important contribution to protect our environment.