The Religious Freedom Annual Review was held at the BYU Conference Center on Tuesday, June 17.
The meeting was attended by religious leaders, professors, scholars and peers from across the country. The conference aimed to engage in conversations regarding religious freedom and the benefit of religion in all aspects of society.
Brett G. Scharffs, director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies, opened the meeting.
“We’ve learned that aggression doesn’t work. Separation doesn’t work. Vilification doesn’t work. Finger-pointing doesn’t work. Throwing bricks doesn’t work,” Scharffs said.
He spoke about the benefits of religious freedom in today’s charged political climate. He referenced the words of Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, calling on all people to be peacemakers.
Scharffs also talked about how connections with God lead to better connections with people around us.
“Religious freedom matters because love matters," he said. "We stand for the religious freedom of others because we love them.”
Scharffs was then followed by BYU President C. Shane Reese, who echoed much of what Scharffs spoke about.
“Religious freedom provides for all of us an ability to pursue those missions which are most dear and tender to us.” Reese said.
He then spoke about BYU’s mission to pursue education through the lens of faith. He shared statistics that show the benefits of religious participation. He ended his speech by stating that religious freedom is the basis of flourishing societies.
The general session followed Reese’s remarks.
The session featured three keynote speakers of different faiths and backgrounds.
Elder Marcus B. Nash, a member of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began the general session, followed by Harold G. Koenig, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University.
Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., professor and founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, closed the general session.
Each speaker touched on the benefits of religious freedom in individuals, families, communities and society.
Margaret Fulmer, a conference attendee, reflected on the general session and the importance of the conference.
“I feel like there’s misinformation about religiosity in general, and I feel like it’s been given a reputation of being polarizing when in fact it’s not. I feel that conferences like this underline that point,” she said.
The conference raised awareness and facilitated discussion among people of different backgrounds. Following the general session were breakout sessions that addressed different issues surrounding religious freedom and what people can do to make a difference.
“I think that discussion, being able to collaborate and just being in the same space as people who think differently than you is really important,” said Brent Rowan, another attendee.
For more information on the conference, visit religiousfreedom.byu.edu.