And yet, if you talk to members of different faiths Muslims, Jews, or Christians often their representation or portrayal of their faith is of those virtues or characteristics that are very generous, openhearted, and hospitable toward people of other faiths. There are ideals within the religions that are supportive of the idea of religious freedom, and those need to be emphasized and brought out. Even passages in various scriptures of the world faiths that support religious freedom can be emphasized more than they already are. Now let me state a few of the actual benefits that come from religious freedom. First of all, freedom is a condition for the pursuit of goodness.
Religions pursue goodness.
Therefore, as the conclusion of this syllogism, freedom of religion ensures the optimum possibilities for the attainment of some higher level of goodness. Second, freedom of religion is consistent with other freedoms, so it serves to bolster the existence of other freedoms. Third, religious freedom leads to, or one of its outgrowths or benefits is, a moral society. I think it can be shown that historically, and even for the vast majority of people today, the foundation of ordinary morality for most people is religion. Theories about the fading away of religion have just not borne themselves out.