How building religious freedom through business relates to the US Constitution
This May 21-22 marks the 5th time the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation will convene the “Dare to Overcome” National Faith@Work ERG Conference. The mission is to build freedom of religion (and/or belief) for all people everywhere by encouraging workplaces to adopt and practice robust religiously inclusive policies and programs. These include (but are not limited to) such things as providing substantial support for faith-and-belief Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) and formalizing workplace spiritual health programs carried out by multifaith workplace chaplains and/or other EAP programs.
Conference’s Guiding Philosophy: Covenantal Pluralism
The beginning point for religious freedom is human dignity. Human dignity is something that separates people not only from others in the animal kingdom but also from human-like capabilities that AI is creating. This can be understood from a religious “created in the image of God” viewpoint or a humanist viewpoint that emphasizes that each person has the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives.
Recognizing each other’s human dignity in the area of religion and belief is a foundation for peace, especially when we are committed to defending each other’s right to believe and behave in accordance with those beliefs without necessarily lending equal validity to all beliefs. This commitment is in essence putting to practice the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – by also constructively, curiously, and humbly engaging with one another, and respecting the same right and responsibility for those around them.
The Templeton Religion Trust – set up by the late mutual fund pioneer Sir John Templeton – refers to putting this commitment to practice as “covenantal pluralism.” This is the guiding philosophy of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. We believe covenantal pluralism is a useful framework that guides efforts to build religious freedom for everyone, including those who have no religious affiliation or beliefs.
Relation to U.S. Constitution’s Purpose
Indeed, we believe that this philosophy is in the spirit of the US Constitution which was “ordained” and “established” “in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”
Each of the sessions, awards and activities of the conference will reinforce these concepts and aspirations.
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