Freedom Of Religion, By Dallin H. Oaks - 1015 Words

Freedom of religion is one of the most cherished foundations of both American society and the Church. The eleventh Article of Faith provides an excellent definition for freedom of religion, â€Å"We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege: let them worship how, where, or what they may.† As society grows less religious, there are concerns that freedom of religion is in danger. In his 1990 Ensign article â€Å"Religion in Public Life,† Dallin H. Oaks states that â€Å"we must reaffirm and even contend for religious liberty.† The best ways we can defend our freedom of religion are to ensure that our government is secular and to exercise self-government in the†¦show more content†¦Only in a nation where religious dissent was accepted and protected as a fundamental right could a religion like ours develop and thrive. In his treatise, â€Å"Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments,† James Madison pointed out, â€Å"Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects?† As members of the Church and as American citizens, our promotion of freedom of religion is both a matter of promoting the general welfare and promoting our own self-interest. In matters of religious liberty, it is necessary that we recognize that our approach to the religious freedoms of others sets a precedent that could potentially be used against us. This applies both restrictions on the practice of other faiths and the legal compulsion of others to follow the tenets of our own faith. We must jealously guard our own freedom of belief and practice in our own private lives. However, when we feel that public policy is in some way infringing on our religious beliefs, we need to take a step back and ensure that we are not merely uncomfortable with others exercising their own freedom of speech and religion to criticize our views. In the â€Å"Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,† Thomas Jefferson said,