Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson of the University of Illinois discusses reconciling freedom of religion and sometimes competing civil liberties, including nondiscrimination.
Professor Wilson discusses how the "Utah Compromise" is an example of how lawmakers can work together across political and social divides to find ways to both protect and harmonize the basic civil liberties of freedom of religion, nondiscrimination, child welfare, and other interests.
Professor Wilson asserts that younger people, including her own students, can lead the way forward in finding peace and harmony in the midst of diversity. She notes that many older people see and therefore fuel contention where there it need not exist, while many younger people find ways to allow others with differing perspectives and values to be accepted while still remaining true to their authentic selves. She emphasizes the importance of young adults who are already leading in their communities and highlights the inspiring essays on the "Tolerance Means Dialogue" website to showcase their leadership.
That thread is continued in Episode 13, in which University of Illinois student Toby George joins the discussion.
Robin Fretwell Wilson website: https://robinfretwellwilson.com/
Tolerance Means Dialogues website: https://www.tolerancemeans.com/
News article about Utah Compromise: https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/4/22417652/meeting-in-the-middle-religious-freedom-lgbtq-rights-fairness-for-all-equality-act
God Unites website: https://GodUnites.com
#GodUnites #robinfretwellwilson #freedomofreligion #religiousliberty #utahcompromise #nondiscrimination #lbgt #lgbtq
What is God Unites?
In a world of contention and division - regarding politics, power, and even religion - the spirit of God unites.
God Unites is an interfaith audio and video podcast program fostering "Spiritual Unity in Religious Diversity" through sharing stories of faith journeys and conversations and commentary about topics of common interest.
Topics include freedom of religion, strengthening families, worship practices, justice and forgiveness, and the reality of God and God's workings in our lives and in the world today.
The program's founder and host is David Risley, a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which teaches the spiritual kinship of all people as children of God and the foundational importance of freedom of religion and respect for those of other faiths.
The perspective of this program is illustrated in its logo, featuring overlapping circles symbolizing diversity of religions and faith traditions, each with unique characteristics, and yet a common core of spiritual kinship centered on God.
As we each tune into the spirit of God, God unites us in our diversity into a heavenly harmony.
As we draw closer to God, we draw closer to each other. And, as we draw closer to each other, we draw closer to God.