In a blog post today defending the work of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which is apparently preparing to dissolve for lack of congressional reauthorization in coming days, commissioners Nina Shea and Felice Gaer explain why religious freedom isn't just a narrow point of interest:
Religious freedom — which encompasses freedom of thought and conscience – is foundational for a broad constellation of rights. Inseparable from freedom of expression and association, it's often the first freedom threatened by tyranny and terror. Freedom of religion or belief matters not only for religious adherents, but for those embracing no religion or beliefs rejecting all religions.
That's why IRFA, through USCIRF and the Office of International Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department, supports the right to reject as well as accept any religion or belief system.
Whatever you think about the need for a separate Commission, they're right on that point. Religious freedom isn't just one in a laundry list of things free people enjoy. It's the purest measure of a free conscience.
