Conscience, speech, and free exercise distinctions

Religious freedom, especially for Christians, is under attack across the globe, including in the West–including right here in the United States. Whether insidiously in the form of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that block Christians from employment and advancement opportunities, or, overtly, like vandalism against churches, or, in some parts of the world, murderous violence against Christians themselves, in terms of sheer numbers–and this fact is often ignored–Christians are, by far, the most persecuted religious group in the world. While defending religious freedom is important for people of all faiths, or no faith at all, it is thus especially urgent for believers in Christ. How, then, can we work together as a church and as a society to make progress on this front? Taking a step back, what, specifically, is religious freedom and why is it a universal human right? What is the relationship between the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech? And how can we respond to the secular charge that religious freedom is merely a backdoor means for the faithful to impose their beliefs on others?

A listener asks how we can grow in confidence that Catholicism is the one true religion.

00:00 | Introduction 01:36 | Concluding Winona-Rochester's diocesan synod 03:24 | The work of the Religious Liberty Commission 07:33 | Responding to Religious Liberty Commission criticism 09:11 | The inherent priority of religious liberty 12:32 | Distinguishing the freedoms of religion, conscience, and speech 14:26 | Is religious liberty necessary for worship? 16:33 | Understanding "due limits" to religious liberty 19:33 | Proposition or imposition? 20:24 | Civil authority and religious authority 22:40 | Truth and relativism 27:25 | How poor conceptions of religion undermine religious liberty 28:27 | Advocating for religious liberty 30:06 | Religious freedom in society 31:36 | Why religious liberty matters for evangelization 32:48 | Listener question: How can we know Catholicism is true? 36:01 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

• Dignitatis Humanae: Vatican document
• Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.