The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recently excoriated Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and the City Council for its support of Mercy Culture Church’s plan to build a rehabilitation center for victims of sex trafficking. The sharpest critique was aimed at Parker’s defense of the religious liberty rights of faith-based organizations and her warning about the danger of government stepping in and telling any religious organization how it is allowed to live out these beliefs. Behind this critique is a fundamental misunderstanding of religious liberty and why protecting this right is essential to maintaining a free, open and flourishing society.
At its core, religious liberty safeguards the right of every individual to seek truth, follow their consciences and live in accordance with their deeply held beliefs. This freedom goes beyond the mere ability to worship; it encompasses the right to express faith openly, educate children according to religious values and live out one’s convictions in public and private life.
Religious liberty is not only about protecting people of faith. A society that defends religious liberty fosters mutual respect and coexistence, even among people with differing worldviews. It prevents the imposition of a single belief system — whether religious or secular — on the entire population, ensuring that minority perspectives are respected and protected…