Orrin Hatch: “I rise to speak once again on the topic of religious liberty. This is the sixth in a series of addresses I have given on…”

“I rise to speak once again on the topic of religious liberty. This is the sixth in a series of addresses I have given on this critical subject. In my previous remarks, I have discussed why religious liberty matters and why it deserves special protection from government interference. I have also detailed the history of religious liberty in the United States and its centrality to our Nation's founding. Likewise, I have debunked the erroneous notion that religion is a purely private matter that has no place in the public domain. Last week, I discussed the status of religious liberty in contemporary American life. I argued that, in ways that are both alarming and unprecedented, religious liberty is under attack here in the United States. Today, I turn my attention beyond our borders to examine the status of religious liberty abroad. Again, my argument is straightforward: across the world, religious liberty is under serious attack. My observations are particularly relevant as we approach Thanksgiving. Our Nation commemorates this special holiday in remembrance of our pilgrim ancestors who fled persecution in search of religious freedom. These brave men and women sailed unchartered waters and settled strange lands in order to build a society where they could practice their religion free from state interference.…”