Can Religious Freedom Be a Force for Unity in Society?

On September 21, 2024, a symposium addressing freedom of religion or belief brought together faith and community leaders in Lethbridge, Alberta. One hundred people gathered at the Southminster United Church to hear keynote speakers and local panellists discuss, “Can religious freedom be a force for unity in society?” Keynote speakers included Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett, Cardus faith communities program director; Bruce Clemenger, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada president emeritus; and Steve Collis, University of Texas law professor.

The event, organized by Lethbridge Friends of Religious Freedom, brought together various faith and community leaders, including Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen, MLA Nathan Neudorf and MLA Grant Hunter. The multidenominational organizing committee included Pastor Bill Zwartbol of Free Grace Fellowship; Pastor Scott Cyre of King of Kings Fellowship; David Cavilla, a Catholic lawyer; and Richard Low, communication director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lethbridge area. The organizing committee’s goal was to gather people of different faiths to promote and strengthen religious freedom.

Clemenger began the symposium with a presentation on “Religious Freedom, Political Creeds and Limited Governments.” He asserted that “governments often portray themselves as neutral when it comes to religious freedom, but in actuality, they are not neutral. The act of religious symbols and practices being removed or banned under the premise of neutrality shows a bias towards secularism.” He questioned whether secularism is itself a religion. Clemenger suggested a better approach is for governments to recognize the value of religion in the fabric of our Canadian society. “Freedom and equality are experienced in the political community where persons are protected from arbitrary interference and their equal status is guaranteed,” he said.

Collis addressed “Religious Freedom and Peacemaking in a Polarized Age.” He emphasized the critical role religion plays in our society to promote benevolence, charity and understanding. Religion is often blamed for wars and contention in the world, but, as Collis pointed out, this is the antithesis of true religious freedom, where such differences in belief systems are not used as excuses for conflict but are respected and celebrated. Collis was asked, “What can I do to support religious freedom?” He responded, “We need to trumpet and highlight the good works of other religions — that is the way to educate people in general as to the good of the religious community in society.”

Bennett shared the results of some recent Cardus studies. His topic was “How Canadians Engage in Religion, and What Are Some Implications for Religious Freedom and the Ability to Live a Fully Public Faith in Canada.” Cardus’s data shows a general decline in religious practices in Canada but also a growing interest and appetite for religious devotion, particularly amongst the 18–35-year-old generation. Bennett encouraged religiously committed people to engage more in protecting and preserving religious freedom to counteract growing secularism in the population.

Various interfaith leaders drawn from local faith communities participated in panel discussions on issues related to religious freedom. Panellists included Ramona Big Head, former educator, Káínai (Blackfoot) Indigenous spiritual leader and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Dr. Atif Khalil, Muslim scholar and associate professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of Lethbridge; Rev. Kevin Tumback, pastor at All Saints Roman Catholic Parish; Diana Sim, Christian theologian and executive director of Martha Retreat Centre; Daniel Zopoula, archbishop of the Miz City Church and member of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches; Zach Hampton, a local activist and Catholic Church member; Erin Leclerc, a local activist and evangelical Christian; Marc Slingerland, principal of Calvin Christian School; and Elder David C. Stewart, AreaSeventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The archived symposium can be viewed on the Lethbridge Friends of Religious Freedom Facebook page.