RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE
For more than 170 years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been dedicated to advocating for the freedom of belief for all individuals. This commitment to religious liberty is firmly grounded in a rich tapestry of biblical, historical, and theological principles that resonate deeply with Adventists.
PARL STAFF
OUR MISSION
The First Amendment to the Constitution unequivocally protects the freedom of religion. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 reinforces this protection. The Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty is dedicated to actively defending the rights of individuals whose religious freedom is under threat. Furthermore, we are committed to upholding the vital American tradition of maintaining a clear separation between church and state.
HISTORY
Seventh-day Adventist views on religious liberty were set forth in 1889 as the “Declaration of Principles of the National Religious Liberty Association, organized that year in Battle Creek, Michigan. The four resolutions directly related to religious liberty were:
We believe in supporting the civil government and submitting to its authority.
We deny the right of any civil government to legislate on religious questions.
We believe it is the right, and should be the privilege, of every man to worship according to the dictates of his on conscience
We believe it to be our duty to use every lawful and honorable means to prevent religious legislation by the civil government so that our fellow citizens may enjoy the inestimable blessings of religious liberty
ASSISTANCE
If you require assistance in safeguarding your religious freedom, it is advisable to first contact your pastor. Should the pastor be unable to resolve the issue, he will then reach out to the Southern New England Conference director of public affairs and religious liberty for further support. If necessary, the Atlantic Union Conference director may also become involved in the resolution process.
Freedom is what we have–Christ has set us free! Galatians 5:1 (Good News Bible)
FREEDOM TO BELIEVE
The Seventh-day Adventist Church strongly believes in religious freedom for all people. A person’s conscience, not government, should dictate his or her choice to worship—or not.
We have advocated for these goals for more than 100 years, through our Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL), to governments, religious organizations, and international organizations.
This advocacy takes many forms—fighting against laws that would inhibit an individual’s religious freedoms, obtaining the release of individuals imprisoned for religious reasons, and supporting the rights of individuals fired from their jobs for following their conscience, to name a few.
As the Adventist Church's official voice on religious freedom and human rights matters, PARL maintains offices in Washington, D.C., to allow convenient access to the U.S. Congress, New York City to liaise with the United Nations and at the church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. PARL also sponsors the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) on behalf of the Adventist Church. IRLA is a non-sectarian organization supporting religious freedom around the world.
The first organization, IRLA, brings together representatives of many faiths—including Catholics, Baptists, Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Buddhists, and others—to support religious liberty. PARL and IRLA promote this vital cooperation through conferences, religious liberty festivals, and other events, raising awareness and educating government officials worldwide.
This priority is vital to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. While we are a rapidly growing denomination around the world, the church often finds itself in the religious minority and consequently understands the importance of ensuring that all voices are allowed to speak.
The Adventist Church believes that fighting religious oppression and defending an individual’s right to worship according to his or her conscience—regardless of that person’s religious affiliation—is in everyone’s best interest.
The Religious Liberty Department organizes the following:
Government Liaison Representatives (GLR) – Religious leaders in each state who help monitor state legislative actions.
NARLA, Southern New England Chapter – the local chapter of the North American Religious Liberty Association. NARLA–SNEC is committed to making a difference for Religious Liberty.
Offerings & Campaigns—With your help, the Religious Liberty Department sends Liberty Magazine to every elected official and thought leader in the Atlantic Union.
Southern Society of Adventist Attorneys (SSAA) – A network of Adventist attorneys interested in mentoring Adventist law students and providing legal services to those explicitly requesting to be represented by an Adventist attorney.
Accommodation Assistance – The department serves in situations where people’s exercise of faith is dismissed or denied. Even if you believe your circumstances hold little hope for resolution, we may be able to offer assistance. We encourage you to contact our office directly. Remember that the earlier you seek help, the better your chance of reaching a favorable resolution. Avoid delay. Seek help early.
Telephone: 978-365-4551 ext:602
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS
Three of the most significant international treaties and conventions related to religious freedom are:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
Articles 18 is perhaps the most well-known international statement on religious freedom:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
Article 26 refers to education to “promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations, racial or religious groups."
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
This is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966. It commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial.
Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981)
This landmark United Nations resolution was passed in 1981. It includes declarations on the topics of religious intolerance, freedom of religion, and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief.
Other International Agreements
United Nations Charter (1945)
Articles 1,13,55: The Charter of the United Nations in these articles uses the phrase “respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.”
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)
Article 2: This article defines genocide as any act “with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951)
Article 4: Refers to refugees being accorded the same rights as nationals “with respect to freedom to practice their religion and freedom as regards the religious education of their children.”
Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (1954)
Articles 3, 4: Contains the same language, with respect to religion or belief, as found in the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Status of Refugees.
Convention Against Discrimination in Education (1960)
Articles 1, 2, 5: These articles state that the establishment or maintenance of separate educational institutions for religious reasons is not discriminatory, if it is in keeping with the wishes of parents or legal guardians, and providing that these institutions conform to educational standards developed by competent authorities, and are directed to the full development of the human personality and to strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965)
Article 5: This article declares that full compliance with this convention includes the right to freedom of religion or belief for all racial and ethnic groups, along with other fundamental rights and freedoms.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
Article 16: This article deals with women’s rights in the context of family relations. Several Muslim states have reservations to this article due to perceived conflicts with national laws and shari’a law. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has refuted reservations to Article 16, and has several recommendations regarding conflicts between obligations to the Convention and traditional religious or cultural practices. The Committee calls on States to eradicate such religious-based practices as forced marriage, dowry deaths, and female circumcision.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
Article 14: This article identifies the rights of the child to freedom of religion or belief. It differs from article 5 of the 1981 UN Declaration in that it respects the rights and duties of parents or legal guardians, but places an emphasis on providing direction in a manner consistent with the “evolving” capacity of the child, and calls on states to limit practices of religions or beliefs that may be injurious to the child, as elaborated in Article 18, paragraph 3 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. A child is defined as anyone below the age of 18 years.
RELIGIOUS EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
In the United States, the religious freedom challenge most often experienced by Seventh-day Adventists is the religious rights of employees in the secular workspace. Unfortunately, since 1977 the Supreme Court has held that employers have only a de minimis, or minimal, requirement to accommodate the religious practices of their employees. The de minimis standard particularly harms religious minorities like Adventist Christians who wish to honor God by refraining from work on Sabbath.
Through both court cases and legislative initiatives, the Adventist Church continues to work toward restoring an appropriate or “reasonable” standard for employer accommodation. Your Union PARL department is available to assist if you experience religious discrimination in the workplace.
Please complete the intake form below if you are currently experiencing challenges to your religious freedom in the workplace. We will connect you with your Union Public Affairs and Religious Liberty office.