New Zealand Religious Freedom Expert is Hopeful Despite Challenges

At the 32nd International Law and Religion Symposium at Brigham Young University in Utah this week, former New Zealand MP and family values advocate, Simon O’Connor, joined close to 100 delegates from around the world to discuss growing challenges to freedom of religion and conscience in their countries.

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Delegates also offered practical ways that individuals, churches, and governments can help protect these rights.

Mr. O’Connor emphasized that religious freedom is a cornerstone of all other rights. “It is the right on which all other rights find their grounding, from freedom of speech to freedom of association,” he said.

O’Connor stressed that the state’s role is to safeguard—not define—fundamental rights: “The State’s role is to secure those rights, not create or disband them.”

“Freedoms exist to be exercised,” he added.

Despite the challenges, O’Connor has hope for the future. He offered suggestions for the way forward.

“Firstly,” he said, “we need to continue stressing the value of religious freedom into the public square. Each of us has a role to play. Religious belief, our consciences, are the essential and foundational right of a pluralistic society. I would suggest it begins with the everyday discussions we have with family and friends, work colleagues or those we happen upon during our daily activities. When questions of religious liberty are raised, we need to speak positively of them and not avoid what is, often times, seen as an awkward conversation.”

He also urged people of faith to live their faiths with confidence. “We need to pray,” he said. “If we hold a Christian belief, then we also understand that God has won the victory upon the Cross of Calvary and His resurrection three days later. We need to pray publicly too. I don’t mean prayer as protest, which is becoming an issue in the West, but prayer that is public, peaceful, and poised. It may be something as simple as a grace before every meal, whether at home or in a restaurant, or simply offering to start a meeting with a prayer.”

Hosted by Brigham Young University—founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the symposium brings together judges, lawyers, policymakers, scholars, faith leaders, and other experts to explore religious liberty. This year’s theme was Building Paths to Flourishing, held 5-7 October.