In Argentina, Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Everyone’s Concern

This story was originally published at the Mormon Newsroom. Below is an excerpt:

BUENOS AIRES — A leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI) today that religious freedom is not just the concern of religious persons.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, one of the Twelve Apostles for the church based in the United States, said nonbelievers also have a strong interest in religious freedom because the protection of conscience “helps people from a wide spectrum of beliefs feel assured that their deepest concerns and values are respected and protected.”

With the assistance of an interpreter, Elder Oaks — a former Utah Supreme Court justice who has spoken publicly many times in defense of religious freedom — told the international audience that the current weakening of guarantees of the free exercise of religion are attributable to changes in culture rather than legal decisions. He also reemphasized that religious teachings and actions of believers deserve special legal protections because of their significant contributions to society.

Read the full story at mormonnewsroom.org.