Freedom of conscience
Religious freedom, practice and equal rights
A guide to the freedom to believe, speak, gather and practice—and to the difficult legal and ethical questions that arise when conduct affects the rights or wellbeing of other people.
Conscience is personal.Public conduct has context.
Essential framework
Belief and conduct are related, but not identical
Religious liberty debates often become clearer when freedom of conscience is considered separately from actions that may affect someone else.
In its traditional sense, religious freedom protects the ability to hold or reject beliefs, discuss them, write about them, assemble with others and participate in religious practice. It also includes the freedom to change one's religion and, in many human-rights frameworks, the freedom to follow a non-theistic worldview.
Legal systems may treat conduct differently from belief. A sincere religious motivation can be important to a claim, but it does not automatically settle questions involving public safety, employment, access to services or equal treatment. Courts and legislatures weigh these interests through constitutional rules, statutes and the facts of each dispute.
This archive contains material from different periods and jurisdictions. Older reports remain useful as historical records, but they should not be read as summaries of current law.
Historical collection
Read dated material as an archive
Several linked essays describe reports, speeches and public debates from earlier decades. Dates and offices are retained as historical context; they do not imply that the material reflects current law or present officeholders.
Status reports
Worldwide snapshot from 2010, country reports from 2010, a historical freedom report and an archived discussion of Europe.
U.S. documents and speeches
The 1988 Williamsburg Charter, a 1998 U.N. report, a 1995 presidential speech and a local proclamation on diversity.
International statements
UNESCO's 1995 tolerance statement, a 1996 World Day of Peace statement and a 1999 U.S. statement concerning Europe.
Further reading
Browse religious-freedom resources, approaches to reducing religion-inspired conflict and the broader religious information collection.
Our approach
How to assess a freedom claim
A careful review distinguishes conviction from conduct and considers the legal setting without presuming that every conflict has the same answer.
Define the claim
Identify whether the issue concerns belief, speech, association, worship, accommodation or conduct.
Name the effects
Consider who is affected and whether safety, access, employment or equal treatment is involved.
Check the jurisdiction
Use the applicable constitution, statutes, regulations and current court decisions.
Read in context
Separate historical reports and advocacy positions from current, authoritative legal guidance.
Reader guide
Frequently asked questions
Does religious freedom protect only religious people?
No. Freedom of conscience is commonly understood to include the freedom to adopt, reject or change religious belief, including non-theistic convictions.
Is religious belief protected in the same way as every action based on belief?
Not necessarily. Belief generally receives strong protection, while conduct can be subject to laws protecting safety, access and other people's rights. The precise test depends on the jurisdiction.
What is a religious accommodation?
It is an adjustment intended to allow a person to follow a religious practice. Whether an accommodation is required or reasonable depends on the applicable law and circumstances.
What are Religious Freedom Restoration Acts?
These laws establish standards for reviewing government burdens on religious exercise. Their wording and application vary. See the archive overview.
Why does this page include old reports and speeches?
They document how religious-freedom debates developed. Historical material should be checked against current law and contemporary sources.
Where can I explore related human-rights material?
Visit the human-rights section, the religious-tolerance section or the collection about religious conflict and discrimination.
How can I report an error?
Use the contact page or email info@religioustolerance.en-html.org with the page title and correction.