Around 14% of Australians identify as spiritual. It is time they were given the same rights as those belonging to organised religions.
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Articles on Religious freedom
Displaying 1 - 20 of 42 articles
Arguments on religious freedom have taken place throughout US history and have landed in the Supreme Court as well. Interpretations have changed over time.
Some Australian Christians claim to be persecuted – this is not only wrong, it is an insult to thousands around the world who are at risk because of their religion.
Dean Smith on the pros and risks of new religious freedom protections.
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Western Australia Liberal Senator Dean Smith is a man of forthright opinions, not afraid to take on fights within his party.
As the Ruddock review of religious freedom is about to report, we need a more sophisticated understanding of what religion is and the ways its expression can be curtailed - or can curtail others.
Most people know that the First Amendment protects free speech. But two upcoming Supreme Court cases reveal how it also gives people in the US the right not to speak.
The government's review of religious freedom protections must ensure that any additional protection of religious freedom does not further undermine the right to non-discrimination.
More than 1,000 Nebraskans were asked about laws that protect business owners who refuse to serve gays or lesbians. People on either side of the issue made appeals to rights, freedom and capitalism.
America has been promoting religious liberty abroad since its founding, but there has always been disagreement on what exactly it means.
A groundbreaking High Court ruling outlawing the spanking of children in South Africa has outraged some Christian bodies that claim parents are entitled to hit their children in a "godly way".
The drawn-out process of Australia legalising marriage equality has finally come to a close, with a bill passing the lower house by an overwhelming majority on Thursday.
When people feel discriminated against because of their religion, they can feel threatened, triggering feelings of social isolation that can perhaps increase prejudice toward others.
The same-sex marriage bill has passed the Senate, after all the amendments to insert protections and restrictions were voted down.
The Supreme Court appeared divided over claims of religious freedom in the case of a gay wedding. History shows how contentious religious freedom has been in America.
Labor has announced it will not support any amendments to the Dean Smith same-sex marriage bill, including an amendment proposed by George Brandis. Here's why it is right to do so.
What's still missing in the religious freedoms debate is any clarity around what people think they won't be able to do, or where the existing laws are likely to fail to protect them.
Churches have been exempt from sex discrimination laws for years – now those opposed to same-sex marriage want that exemption to be extended to individuals.
As hard-line Pentecostalism spreads across Brazil, some drug traffickers in gang-controlled areas of Rio de Janeiro are using religion as an excuse to attack nonbelievers.
Even if secular law changes to allow same-sex couples to marry, churches are protected by religious freedom to choose who they will - or will not - marry.
In the marriage equality debate, those who once fought against protections for religious freedom are suddenly all for it.
Top contributors
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Senior Lecturer & UG Programme Director, Department of International Politics, City, University of London
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Senior Lecturer in International Law and Human Rights, University of Newcastle
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Assistant Professor of Intellectual Heritage, Temple University
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Bromby Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Trinity College, University of Divinity
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Professor of Politics, University of Adelaide
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Gary D Bouma is a Friend of The Conversation.
Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Monash University
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Lecturer in Law, University of Tasmania
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Senior Lecturer in History, La Trobe University
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Professor, Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University
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Adjunct Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South Australia
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Associate Professor of Political Science, Northwestern University
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Lecturer in Law, Southern Cross University
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Head of the Mediterranean Programme, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute
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Lecturer in Law, University of Southern Queensland
