Freedom of religion

Freedom of religion is the right to hold, change, practice, or reject religious beliefs without coercion or discrimination. It includes both inward belief and outward expression, subject to limits that protect others’ rights and public order.

Freedom of thought: The liberty to form and hold thoughts and beliefs without coercion. Religious freedom shares its protection of inward conviction with this broader liberty.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: A 1966 United Nations treaty that protects civil and political rights, including freedom of religion. Article 18 sets out a widely used international standard for religious freedom.
Freedom of expression: The right to communicate ideas and information without unjustified interference. Religious speech may be protected by both expression rights and religious freedom.
S. A. S. v. France: A 2014 European Court of Human Rights case upholding France’s public ban on face coverings under the Convention. The case tests whether public-order arguments justify limiting religious dress.
Religious pluralism: The coexistence of diverse religious beliefs and communities within a society. Legal protection enables different faiths and nonreligious convictions to coexist.
Freedom of conscience: The liberty to hold moral or religious convictions and act according to them. Conscience connects religious belief to ethical commitments and conscientious refusal.
Human Rights Committee General Comment 22: A 1993 interpretation of Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It explains that the freedom to hold or adopt beliefs cannot be restricted.
Freedom of association: The right to form, join, and leave groups for shared purposes. Religious communities depend on collective freedom as well as individual belief.
Wisconsin v. Yoder: A 1972 United States Supreme Court case exempting Amish families from compulsory high-school attendance laws. It recognizes a religious claim that outweighed a generally applicable education requirement.
Disestablishment: The removal of a state’s official support or establishment of a religion. Ending official religious preference can strengthen equal civic standing.

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