2021 Religious Freedom Annual Review

Introduction

The Religious Freedom Annual Review began in 2014 as an opportunity to provide up-to-date information on the status of laws affecting religious freedom in the United States. Originally established as a conference for lawyers, the annual review has expanded to include all who are interested in learning more about religious freedom and working together in an increasingly diverse space.

Student Reflections

Students who attended the ICLRS Religious Freedom Annual Review came away with a deeper understanding of just how vital religious freedom is in today’s divided world. Taylor Nikolaus shared that the conference helped him see how religious liberty can actually bring people together, even across political or ideological lines. “It really showed how mutual respect and understanding—especially of different beliefs—can create more peace in society,” he said. Thomas Nebeker echoed this, noting how speakers like Asma Uddin and Thomas B. Griffith addressed the decline of religion and offered hopeful, practical ways to counter it—through empathy, self-governance, and education. “These talks really helped me understand how protecting religious freedom also protects human dignity,” Thomas said. For many, the event wasn’t just informative; it was a call to action.

Angela Morales said the Review helped her realize “how much work is still needed” to preserve religious freedom, especially as society becomes more polarized. She appreciated learning how this freedom can be a unifying force when we focus on equal dignity and pluralism rather than partisanship. Olivia Damanu found special meaning in the analysis of President Oaks’ talk, especially when Christine Durham emphasized that we should prioritize constitutional values over political loyalty. She also reflected on Judge Thomas B. Griffith’s reminder that, as members of the Church, “we’re not going to lead the country out of this by doubling down on our political biases… we should seek to moderate and to unify.” For these students, the Review was more than a conference—it was a reminder that promoting religious freedom begins with how we treat one another every day.