United States Senator

Our Foundational “First Freedom”

Our Founders placed freedom of religion as the First Amendment's first freedom. This reflects the priority that freedom of religion has not only in our country but in any just society. This freedom of conscience, the right of the individual to worship God without fear of discrimination or persecution, has been a particular blessing throughout our history.

However, such freedom is under assault--indeed, is unknown--in many parts of the world. As British human rights advocate Lord David Alton has so aptly stated, "Of the world's six billion inhabitants, more than half presently live in countries where being a Christian could cost you your life. Moreover, 9/11 and the London bombings of 2005 have thrown into sharp relief the ongoing challenge of peaceful coexistence in a religiously plural world."

This freedom is the fountainhead from which many of our other civil liberties, such as the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly, flow. Freedom of conscience permits people to express--without threat--their faith in the manner of their choosing. This openness is one reason why religious minorities are often subjected to discrimination and even persecution by repressive regimes. The United States must call to account these governments that abuse and even imprison their citizens, simply because they are of a different faith.

True democracy results when both majority rule is respected and minority rights are protected. When this happens, as in America, religious freedom flourishes. Unfortunately, for millions around the world, such freedom is only a distant dream. Of course, that is what America was when the Pilgrims first sailed for these shores. Yet they faced the dangers and eventually realized their dream of freedom. I want to see that dream fulfilled for people in other lands who suffer for their faith.

While this is a long and difficult task, it begins by giving a voice to those who have been silenced by fear or persecution. We have been blessed in this country with the freedom to worship God and express our faith—it is a freedom worth defending, and it is a blessing worth sharing.