Public
Witness in Support of Freedom of Religion
The Truth
that all people have the right to Freedom of Religion has been a fundamental
belief of Quakers since George Fox and William Penn worked for this right,
often at great personal cost. Under
William Penn, the Pennsylvania Colony made Freedom of Religion the law for all
citizens of Pennsylvania. Later, it
became the very first right listed in the US Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
This guaranteed right of all people in the US to worship as they are led, is
now in jeopardy - not just for some, but for all. How are today’s Quakers called to witness to
this Truth?
Langley
Hill Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, unites with the
following Statement of Conscience, and through words and deeds, will witnesses
to the Truth that all people have the legal right and spiritual entitlement to
practice their chosen faith or no faith at all.
“As
people of faith and conscience, we are compelled in this time of growing
violence and religious intolerance to witness to the U.S. Constitutional right
of all people to the free, peaceful, and legal exercise of their own religious
traditions, without fear of bullying, intimidation, or persecution. We commit
our community and ourselves to support and speak out for Freedom of Religion in
whatever constructive ways we can.”
Each
person in the Langley Hill Friends Meeting community have signed this statement
in a personal affirmation and commitment to action in support of Freedom of Religion.
If
your faith community is interested in spreading this witness in support of Freedom of
Religion, please feel free to copy and adapt any of the following as you are
led.
Statement
of Conscience for signatures - click here
Simple
Things Individuals can do to support Freedom of Religion click here
FAQs
regarding the Statement of Conscience and Call to Witness click here
Freedom of
Religion Discussion points for Church visits click here
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