Part IV | Select Quotes from Church Leaders
Category B | Principles
Topic 10 | Equal citizenship
Equal citizenship is the political manifestation of the moral principle of human dignity. It refers to the idea that all citizens should be equal in status and rights, without regard to their religious identity or other identity differences. In 2016, 300 leading Islamic scholars issued the Marrakesh Declaration, a consensus document that affirms equal citizenship as an Islamic principle as a framework principle for constitutional governance in Muslim-majority countries.
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Elder Gerritt W. Gong: Every human being is born with a level of dignity that is not granted by man.
“We start with a basic truth: every human being, regardless of social or economic status, race, gender or any other identifying characteristic, is born with a level of dignity that is not granted by man. This level of dignity is inherent with his or her human condition.”
- Gerrit W. Gong, Freedom of Expression: An Inseparable Right from Religious Freedom, Second Inter-American Forum for Interreligious Dialogue and Collaboration on Religious Freedom (Apr. 28, 2022), https://www.religiousfreedomlibrary.org/documents/freedom-of-expression-an-inseparable-right-from-religious-freedom.
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President Dallin H. Oaks: A “core value” of Western civilization is inherent human dignity and worth.
“A ‘core value’ of Western civilization is the concept of inherent human dignity and worth. This concept—based on religious belief—is, of course, fundamental to the protection of human life and to the pursuit of all that is good for humanity.”
- Dallin H. Oaks, Concerns and Counsel, Regional Religious Freedom Conference, Colleyville, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (Sept. 10, 2016), https://www.religiousfreedomlibrary.org/documents/concerns-and-counsel.
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Respecting religious freedom serves as a training ground for protecting and respecting other human rights and freedoms.
“Protecting and respecting religious freedom serves as a training ground for protecting and respecting other human rights and freedoms. It teaches us that government has limits: that there are aspects of life that are so sensitive and personal that the coercive jurisdiction of the state must yield to the jurisdiction of the sacred and individual conscience. Religious freedom teaches us to see the inherent dignity of each person. It teaches us first to tolerate, then to respect, and then to love our neighbor.
I fear that if our societies fail to vigorously protect and respect religious freedom, then we will lose not only religious freedom but many other freedoms too.”
- D. Todd Christofferson, Religious Freedom: Protecting the Good Religion Does, G20 Interfaith Forum (Sept. 27, 2018), https://www.religiousfreedomlibrary.org/documents/religious-freedom-protecting-the-good-religion-does.
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Religious liberty is essential for protecting human dignity.
“Religious liberty is essential for protecting human dignity. For millions of believers from diverse religious backgrounds, religion is not a hobby, pastime, or social club. It is, rather, the foundation of our lives and the very center of our identities. Our religious identities constitute who we are and how we understand the purpose of life, the meaning of death, and our hope for what lies beyond this mortal sojourn.
Religion is central to the familial and community traditions and practices that sustain and give meaning to our lives, from birth to death. The naming and blessing of children; coming-of-age ceremonies; sabbath worship and daily prayers; marriage rituals; burial rites—these and many other religious practices are the rhythm of our lives. Our religious institutions are places of belonging where we gather in the company and strength of fellow believers. Houses of worship where we commune with God, religious schools and colleges where we teach our children, and religious charities where we serve the poor—are all essential to our faith communities. (And these religious institutions need to be able to decide for themselves what religious leaders will lead the communities and teach the faith to the rising generation.)
The state’s failure to provide legal protection for these and many other fundamental aspects of religious life imposes grave harm on its religious citizens. No liberal democracy can be free and respect the human dignity of all its citizens if it fails to protect and accommodate the right freely to practice one’s religion.”
- D. Todd Christofferson, Religious Liberty: The Basis of a Free and Just Society, First Forum on Religious Freedom in the Southern Cone (Oct. 29, 2021), https://www.religiousfreedomlibrary.org/documents/religious-liberty-the-basis-of-a-free-and-just-society.