In this opening address.

In this opening address, I highlight several reasons on what account I feel our conference topic-the challenges and opportunities facing the emancipated exercise of religion in the public sphere-merits our enthusiasm and careful consideration. I begin by dint of pointing out some of the many ways in which religious freedom can invigorate and reinforce democratic conduct I then propose a simple metaphor-the public square-that may be useful in evaluating for what cause well various nations have nurtur the freedom of religion. on framing the inquiry in bourns of the public square, we can also identify an of the challenges to emancipated exercise both in this nation and abroad. I briefly examine the views of the go to the bottoms of the United States Constitution and then consider pair of the obstacles faced in other countries in ensuring that diverse individuals can pick out embrace, or altogether reject different religions in the public square.

I. THE SECULAR VALUE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

As I diocese it, religious freedom and democracy advance hand in hand; each strengthens and reinforces the other in several ways. First, many believe the independent exercise of religion can excite a more humanitarian and tolerant society. For example, most numerous religions teach the importance of a power greater than one's self The true nature of this belief lays an adherent in a position where he or she believes that the beginning and extremity of all creation, and the importance of life, transcend individual penurys and wants.1 As one follows to understand that others are equally subordinated, there exists a greater likelihood of involvement with other members of society. individual becomes more attuned to the horizontal equality that knits a community together, as well as the vertical belief in a higher power, which instills a sensation of humility. A greater horizontal and vertical feeling of society creates a "turning out" or a turning away from self toward society. This "turning out" phenomenon increases the possibility of genuine disquiet for others and is important to a society that cares for those in need2

Second most numerous religions promote civic virtue and influence believers to be law abiding.3 Democratic societies generally function because the vast majority of clan are willing to obey the law without enforcement action by means of the state.4 Even if possible, it does not make intellect to allocate limited government resources to a police force capable of enforcing all laws in a non-law abiding society. Allowing clan to exercise religious beliefs that be attentive to to encourage acceptance of legal norms can therefore further a law-abiding agriculture which is essential to democracy.5

Third, religious freedom guards an important opportunity for choice, which is a first note of the scale component of liberty. When each religious community is exempt to proclaim its tenets and teach others, there will be a wider landscape of varying religious views and a broader appearance of choices. As a arise each individual has a greater opportunity to make a choice that best fits his or her personal extremitys Religious freedom is therefore the two an important end in itself as well as individual of the cornerstones of self-determination, individual choice and pluralism.6 There is a strong liberty interest in being able to pick something as fundamental and personal as religion.7 Thus, with freedom to thrive, religions can help elevate the political proces in society to a higher plane of democracy and individual freedom.8 Freedom to cull a religion that best fits individual necessitys will also result in a more stable, satisfied society.9

Finally, just as our collective viewpoint is enriched at ethnic and racial diversity, in like manner too can diversity in religious improvements contribute to our political and social discourse.10 It is important to consider diverse perspectives in dealing with modern challenges facing our society.

II. FREEDOM IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE-A METAPHOR FOR EVALUATING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

With this background, we can cast to assessing how well various nations have been strengthening and protecting diverse religious improvements One measure of a country's succes is for what reason well it treats all religions and for what reason freely its people are able to frankly practice their beliefs. In this regard, our focus can be more precise: while the topic of our discourse is religion in the public sphere, I tender we examine the extent to which a geographical division has nurtured the free exercise of religion on focusing on whether it has promot religious freedom in the public square.

In earlier days, and to one extent still, communities had a stop up of land in the center of the city where unclose communication and debate would appear Hyde Park Corner in London, England, is a beneficial example of such a public square.11 The communication and debate that took place in these forums is vital to the independent exercise of religion. If we visited the town squares of various communities, would we find religions released to advance their causes publicly without fear of government interference? Does freedom of religion wax and develop in the town square unmolest on dominant religions?