White House Religious Liberty Commission released its final draft report to President Trump, detailing the ongoing fight to protect religious freedom in the nation.
“The Members of this Commission are united in the conviction that religious liberty remains one of the greatest sources of American strength. It protects believers and nonbelievers alike. It strengthens communities, enriches civic life, and lifts up individuals from every background, color, and creed,” the report says. “Preserving it will require vigilance, education, and renewed commitment from institutions and citizens alike.”
“Among our conclusions, we believe that safeguarding religious liberty requires more than defending legal rights after they have been violated,” it adds. “It requires cultivating a culture that understands why those rights exist in the first place. It requires correcting misconceptions about the Constitution, strengthening conscience protections, ensuring equal treatment under the law, and fostering renewed appreciation for the manifestly positive role of religion in building up the infinite richness of American life.”
The report drew upon testimonies given during the Commission’s hearings.
“Although their circumstances differed, their stories shared a common theme,” the report said of its more than 100 witnesses. “Far too often in our national life, religion is treated not as a protected and valued contribution to public life, but as a problem or annoyance to be managed, restricted, or sidelined.”
Addressing various venues for religious freedom, the Commission recommended that faith-based institutions be ensured equal opportunities; educational institutions train teachers and administrators on students’ constitutional rights; that parental rights be defended; Department of War leaders undergo religious liberty training; protect the religious rights of healthcare workers; track anti-semitic incidents; and direct the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to create “Know Your Rights” resources for the private sector.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating the Religious Liberty Commission last year.
The Commission will be tasked with “producing a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, strategies to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism, current threats to religious liberty, and strategies to preserve and enhance protections for future generations,” a fact sheet on the matter read, noting that the group will focus on parental rights, freedom of conscience, school choice, attacks on churches, free speech, and other areas.
