freedom of religion

noun phrase

: the right to choose what religion to follow and to worship without interference

Examples of freedom of religion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet the freedom of religion in the First Amendment was put there precisely as a guard against religious tyranny. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

Reports of human rights abuses in Crimea, including violations of freedom of religion or belief, abound. —Thomas J. Reese, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2015

Indonesia’s blasphemy law, incorporated into the Criminal Code, is a holdover from the 1960s that local human rights organizations have challenged, so far unsuccessfully, as incompatible with the Indonesian constitution’s guarantees of freedom of religion and equality under the law. —Sidney Jones, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2017

According to the student, the pressure to limit the choice to one Jewish organization on campus contradicts the freedom of religion offered to other faiths on campus. —Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2024

The only way to protect your own freedom of religion is to protect your freedom from theirs. —Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2019

Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are among the most important American ideals. —Matthew Malec, National Review, 27 Dec. 2023

The men had argued the Marines’ grooming policy violated their right to freedom of religion. —Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2023

Sikhism, a monotheistic faith, was founded in the Punjab region in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, a non-practicing Hindu who preached about freedom of religion, community service and inclusiveness. —Rhea Mogul, CNN, 6 Oct. 2023

Legal Definition

freedom of religion

freedom of re·​li·​gion

: the right especially as guaranteed under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to practice one's religion or exercise one's beliefs without intervention by the government and to be free of the exercise of authority by a church through the government see also free exercise clause

Note: The freedom of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment can be overcome by a showing by the government of a compelling state interest. On this basis, practices used in some religions, such as bigamy, are prohibited despite the First Amendment guarantee.