religious-freedomThis morning, the Church held a news conference and called for a balance of religious freedom and LGBT rights. They emphasized the importance of nondiscrimination, but also the need for individuals and churches to exercise their beliefs.

Sister Neill F. Marriott spoke how to affirm rights for some without taking away from the rights of others. She also spoke about the Church’s support for laws that protect the LGBT community from discrimination.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked about recent encroachments to the guarantees of religious freedom in the U.S. Constitution. A society is only really free when it guarantees the rights of people to believe as they wish, even if these beliefs are unpopular. The Church asserts the following principles based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and on fairness for all, including people of faith:

  • We claim for everyone the God-given and Constitutional right to live their faith according to the dictates of their own conscience, without harming the health or safety of others.
  • We acknowledge that the same freedom of conscience must apply to men and women everywhere to follow the religious faith of their choice, or none at all if they so choose.
  • We believe laws ought to be framed to achieve a balance in protecting the freedoms of all people while respecting those with differing values.
  • We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic circumstances or differences in gender or sexual orientation.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said that churches must be free to believe, preach, and conduct their business in accordance with their beliefs. Likewise, people should be free to believe and practice their beliefs without discrimination or retaliation.

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If you post about this topic on social media, please use the #Fairness4All hashtag.

 


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