宗教自由是什么？
宗教自由不仅仅是一个人选择自己所要事物的自由，它还包括在不受政府和其他人干预（除非因为处于公众安全和健康考虑）的情况下宣扬宗教核心观点和进行宗教活动的自由。它允许有共同和相似信仰的人们聚集在一起组成宗教组织管理自己的事物。所有这些自由在美国宪法第一修正案中得以明确：“议会不得设立管制宗教成立，或禁止自由从事宗教的任何法律；不得削减人们的言论自由或媒体自由；不得削减人民和平集会，向政府提议的自由”。
为什么宗教自由如此重要？
宗教和信仰自由对于一个健康的多元化社会至关重要。它允许不同的信仰都能自由发展。宗教自由保护所有群体和个人，包括最容易受伤害的人权，不管她们是不是有宗教信仰。
宗教自由需要我们做什么
宗教自由更多的是一种责任而不是权利。宗教自由和文明社会取决于我们每个人能否尊重他人人格并由此建立相互理解的社会环境。宗教组织和公民都有确保他们自己理性，和平表达自己见解的义务。
What does religious freedom really mean?
Religious freedom is more than just the freedom to believe what you want. It’s also the freedom to talk about and act on your core beliefs without interference from government or others, except when necessary to protect health and safety. It also allows people with similar beliefs to form religious organizations that govern their own affairs. All of these freedoms are established in the United States through the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Why does it matter so much?
Religious freedom, or freedom of conscience, is critical to the health of a diverse society. It allows different faiths and beliefs to flourish. Religious freedom protects the rights of all groups and individuals, including the most vulnerable, whether religious or not.
What Religious Freedom Requires of Us
Religious freedom is as much a duty as it is a right. Religious freedom and civility depend upon each other and form a mutual obligation founded on the inherent dignity of each person. Religious organizations and people are responsible to state their views reasonably and respectfully.