Comments and Perspectives on Religious Freedom: Forum on Faith and Public Life

In any conversation about religious freedom, it is also extremely important to pay close attention to the relationship between faith and what may be called secularism. There are many definitions of both and there is no way, nor should there be, to draw a firm line between the two. Religious freedom means the freedom either to believe and practice, or not to believe or practice, the tenants of any faith tradition. Particularly crucial, though, is the relationship by which they are in dialogue with each other for the purpose of a whole and just society.

The comments on religious freedom presented in this document are often challenging, as is the call to each of us to promote religious freedom. The only way to deal with the challenges of this - or any human reality that has profound impact on how we live in relationship and truth with each other - is to begin, and continue, the vital conversations.