“In preparing for this talk,
I have been blessed in understanding
the worldwide importance of religious freedom.”
Rome, Italy, is the site of
the second annual Notre Dame Religious Freedom Summit at
the Historical Pontifical Gregorian University.
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency gave
the distinguished keynote remarks.
“I call for a global effort to defend and advance
the religious freedom of all of the children of God in every nation of
the world.”
He spoke of world challenges to religious liberty.
“Religion is under siege by secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness—
all of which seek to replace or weaken the influence of its teachings.”
And of the need to have a coalition of believers unite.
“When leaders join forces to confront religious liberty challenges,
they do not need to examine doctrinal differences or identify
their many common elements of belief.
All that is necessary for unity is our shared conviction that God has
commanded us to love one another
and has granted us freedom in matters of faith.”
He spoke of the value of religious liberty.
“Religion and persons of faith bless society with a precious
and unique moral conscience.”
He said religion strengthens society, both the believer and those of no faith.
“When citizens learn to live together with respect,
despite important religious differences,
they're also more likely to live with others with whom they have important
secular differences.”
He offered four ways institutions
and believers can strengthen religious liberty worldwide,
and there was a positive reaction with each suggestion.
“Our responses to government laws
and our relations with potential adversaries will be helped if we accept
the twin realities. One that we are all fellow citizens who need each other.
Two, that we are all subject to law.”
President Oaks delivered powerful remarks today where he reminded us
about the value of religious liberty,
the way in which religious people are law abiding citizens who contribute
to their communities and serve the most vulnerable among us.
“Second, the most serious violations of religious freedom are not merely
discrimination, but persecution. In every country.
Religious leaders can play an important role in discouraging
the use of state power to cause or support religious persecution.”
Persecution and oppression are
the most serious violations of religious liberty,
and it's one of the first things that we have to confront and stop.
“Third, the preservation of religious liberty ultimately depends on
the understanding and support of the general public.
Religious institutions and believers must teach and act to make
the beneficial public effects of religious teachings
and practices more visible to non believers.
And we need more believers to practice their religious faith more visibly
by serving others.”
He also made a great suggestion that religious organizations need to do more
to publicize the good works that they're doing,
so that society understands the value of religious liberty
and what is at stake if we don't protect religious liberty.
“Number four, as declared by so many religious leaders,
we must unite and find common ground for defending
and promoting religious liberty.
This is not a call for doctrinal compromises,
but rather a plea for unity and cooperation on strategy
and advocacy toward a common goal of religious freedom for all.
President Oak's remarks hit the high bar,
giving hope to further advance goals for global religious liberty.
So I wholeheartedly agree with Elder Oaks in saying that what we need is
a coalition of people of all faiths to stand up for religious freedom,
not just for ourselves, but for all people.
I'm just honored that he's here.
I mean, to have someone of his stature lending his importance to
the importance of this movement,
I think is the greatest honor he could bestow on us.