Religion is not just private worship; it involves public expression on social and moral issues. In the third of a series of “Our Whole Society” conferences on May 8–9, 2017, at Saint Paul University (Ottawa, Ontario), significant questions about the role of faith in Canadian life will be addressed.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is partnering with 12 religious communities and institutes of higher learning in support of the conference’s theme, “Building Our Whole Society: Religion and Citizenship at Canada’s 150th.” Dr. John Borrows, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria, British Columbia is one of two distinguished keynote speakers and a member of the Church. The other keynote is Dr. John Ralston Saul, a novelist and essayist whose writings have influenced political and economic thought internationally.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
With representation on the planning committee from various religions and institutes of higher learning (http://www.interfaithconversation.ca/2017/partners), Mormons continue to support and act upon their belief in religious freedom to think, express and act upon what they deeply believe, according to the dictates of conscience. Religious freedom is the first among rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
For nearly 200 years Mormon leaders have taught the importance of religious freedom for everyone. Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church said, “These essential freedoms of conscience embedded in religious liberty must be diligently preserved and protected. In many countries … religious freedom is slowly and dangerously eroding. … But this is not a concern for religious persons only for many reasons. All citizens benefit from a robust and vigorous religious freedom. But we must also remember that religious freedom has obligations. Besides protecting our own rights, we must protect the rights of others, including the most vulnerable and the least popular. We must show mutual respect for others and treat all civilly. No one should be belittled for following their moral conscience. http://www.mormonnewsroom.ca/official-statement/religious-freedom
Early-bird registration extended until February 21 at http://www.interfaithconversation.ca/2017