What Should a Constitution Contain in Regard to Religious Freedom?

Gary Doxey is Associate Director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University.

On the occasion of this First Annual Forum on Law and Religion of the Southern Cone, I would like to address the following question: What should a constitution contain in regard to religious freedom? It is timely to consider this issue since the Republic of Chile is currently drafting a new constitution.

I must emphasize that I speak from an international perspective. I am not Chilean, although Chile is a country very dear to my heart. I deeply respect the responsibility of Chileans, beginning with the honorable members of the Constitutional Convention, to choose the provisions of their constitution. As a foreigner, I merely offer my observations as a student of this subject in the hope that they may be of benefit.

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¿Qué debe contener una constitución en materia de libertad religiosa?

Gary Doxey es Director Asociado del Centro Internacional de Estudios de Derecho y Religión de la Universidad Brigham Young.

En ocasión de este Primer Foro Anual de Derecho y Religión del Cono Sur, quisiera abordar la pregunta: ¿Qué debe contener una constitución en materia de Libertad Religiosa? Es oportuno estudiar esta cuestión ya que la República de Chile actualmente está redactando una nueva constitución.

Debo recalcar que hablo desde una perspectiva internacional. No soy chileno, aunque Chile es un país que me resulta muy querido. Respeto profundamente la responsabilidad que tienen los chilenos, empezando por los honorables convencionales, de elegir las disposiciones de su constitución. Como extranjero me limito a ofrecer mis observaciones en calidad de estudiante de la materia, con la esperanza de que puedan ser de provecho.

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The 2021 Religious Freedom Annual Review: An Overview

By Talk About: Law and Religion

The Religious Freedom Annual Review, sponsored by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at BYU Law School, and co-sponsored by the Wheatley Institution at Brigham Young University, was held virtually on June 15-16, 2021. The 2021 theme, “Religion’s Role in Overcoming Divides and Strengthening American Democracy,” was reiterated by the three keynote speakers, Peter Wehner, Elder Dale G. Renlund, and Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund. The opening session concluded with remarks by Asma Uddin, L. Whitney Clayton, and Brett Scharffs on religious identity and dignity in America.

Peter Wehner, a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, stated that Christians ought to see others as equal. “Don’t withdraw from politics.” Christians should use Christianity to help define a “moral excellence…We’re called upon to be faithful—not successful,” and that Christians should “argue for truth, not for victory.”

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