Concept of Religious Liberty

Concept of Religious Liberty

   Religious liberty  means freedom of "every one to entertain such notions respecting his relations to his Maker and the duties they impose as may be approve by his judgment and conscience, and to exhibit his sentiments in such form of worship as he may think proper, not injurious to the equal rights of others.

   As a rule, no interference may be permitted with respect to a man's right of religious liberty provided always that the laws of society designed to secure its peace and prosperity, and the morals of its people are not interfered with.

   However, it would not be within the bounds of constitutional restraint to observe religious forms and ceremonies like setting aside certain days as scared anniversaries such as Good Friday, or Christmas day for as long as there are no constraint upon the conscience of the individual.

   But it would certainly be unconstitutional to establish a national church, whether or not it is supported by public funds; to compel by taxation or other means of religious instructions; to prohibit any person to solicit contributions for religious purposes without first securing permit from a public official who is authorized to determine whether the purpose is religious or not; or impose restraint upon any person's right of expression of religious belief.

   The last sentence of Section 5 prohibits the imposition of religious tests in the right of a person to exercise his "civil and political rights".

   A religious test is one that provides for a yardstick for the profession or rejection of certain religious persuasion or beliefs together with the attendant rituals necessary for their proper worship.

   Within this constitutional prohibition, no law may be enacted that will require religion as a condition sine qua non for the election or appointment of public functionaries and employees in the service of government.

   The phrase "political and civil rights" refer to those individual rights with respect to his participation in the establishment or administration of government and those which the law will enforce
at his instance for the purpose of securing for himself the enjoyment of his happiness.

   Historical development of states since time immemorial show that all the safeguards provided whether in constitutions or statutes for the welfare of the people for which they shed their lives to achieve them were always rendered meaningless where the doctrine of the separation of the church and state was deliberately disregarded by the powers that be, thereby subjecting them to perennial oppression and exploitation.