Part IV | Select Quotes from Church Leaders
Category F | Doctrines
Topic 33 | Institutional autonomy
The concept of religious (sometimes called “church”) autonomy refers to the institutional dimensions of religious freedom. While we often think of religious freedom as an individual right (and it is), there are also important institutional aspects of freedom of religion as well. In the United States, church autonomy is based on both non-establishment and free exercise principles. Since autonomy encompasses values of equality as well as freedom, it is also grounded in the concept of nondiscrimination.
◆ ◆ ◆
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Among the most significant aspects of religious freedom is church autonomy.
“Among the most significant aspects of religious freedom is what some scholars call ‘church autonomy.’ By this I mean the autonomy of a church or other religious organization to determine its own theology and criteria for priesthood; to establish standards for membership, discipline, and removal; and to own and manage sacred properties.
Safeguarding the autonomy of churches and other religious organizations enhances freedom for everyone by establishing a right to associate freely in voluntary associations. For if that right is recognized for nonprofit religious organizations, then equality and fairness dictate that a substantially similar right must be recognized to protect the associational freedom of nonprofit secular organizations. . . .
. . . .
In short, the hard-won right of churches to have autonomy in their ecclesiastical affairs has helped lay the groundwork for the right of all people—religious or not—freely to form and govern numerous social and cultural institutions that enrich our societies in so many ways.”
- D. Todd Christofferson, Why Atheists (and Everyone Else) Should Support Freedom of Religion or Belief, Address to All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, UK Parliament (May 1, 2018), https://www.religiousfreedomlibrary.org/documents/why-atheists-and-everyone-else-should-support-freedom-of-religion-or-belief.