Religious Freedom
Before the meeting
Articles
(Read two or more)
What in the World is Religious Freedom?
Religious freedom is a fundamental right that is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Learn about the founding fathers’ understanding of this crucial right and how that right is being threatened.
How to Talk about Religious Freedom
Discusses talking points and how to talk to others about religious freedom and why that is important.
35 Questions about Religious Freedom
Learn responses to some of the most common myths and misunderstandings associated with religious freedom. Know your rights as a religious person in educational settings, on government property, in areas of free speech, at work or at your place of business.
Sexual Identity Politics and Religious Freedom in a Secular Age
Learn how sexual identity politics have affected our religious freedom.
Why We Can and Should Legislate Morality
There’s an oft repeated phrase “You can’t legislate morality.” Is that correct? Discover a new way to think about this statement.
Religious Persecution Rising
One in seven Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith. Attacks on churches and properties have skyrocketed, as more Christians than ever recorded face violent attacks.
Videos
(Watch one or more)
The heritage foundation
America’s Biggest Issues: Religious Freedom
Explores what freedom of religion from government looks like and how it is affected by others. Addresses both the rights of religious and non-religious and how, best, to treat all people and religions equally.
Prager u
Religious Tolerance: Made in America
Highlights the origins of religious freedom and diversity in America. Recounts how and why America, throughout her history, has valued religious liberty.
“If a law that forces someone to promote something against their beliefs is so laughable, so unimaginable…then why is it so difficult to extend the same freedom to a Christian creative professional?”
Supplemental Reading
Hostility to Religion: The Growing Threat to Religious Liberty in the United States
A compilation of specific examples where those of faith have been persecuted because their religious beliefs run counter to popular political opinion.
Resource: A Student’s Rights Handbook: A Guide to Religious Freedom on Campus
Know your religious rights at school. Excellent resource with specifics every student, and parent, should know. This is a free handbook (although you do have to fill out a form to have it emailed to you).
Religious Liberty Drives Human Flourishing – And Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Increases in religious liberty lead to improvements in human flourishing, and yet in many places around the world religious liberty is being threatened, even within the U.S.
Study finds religious freedom is an area of unity in a divided America
While the country is polarized on many levels, the Religious Freedom Index finds that most Americans agree on First Amendment issues.
Supplemental videos
“China’s Muslim Uyghurs face systematic oppression from their own government. Their home province of Xinjiang has been turned into a police state—an estimated one million of them are detained in camps where they are brainwashed. How and why are China’s leaders doing this?”
church newsroom
What is Freedom of Religion?
Different voices from different faiths discussing what religious freedom means and why it matters to them.
First liberty institute
4 Facts You Should Know About Religious Liberty in Public Schools
Young Americans need to be aware of their religious liberty rights and stand strong when those rights are threatened. Here are 4 facts every student should know about religious liberty.