Item 19 in Truth By Reason Master Ethical Code

Protect Freedom of Belief and Non-Belief

Allow every person to adopt, change, question or reject religious and philosophical beliefs.

Position
19
Form
Mixed formulation
Obligation
Context-dependent
Wording status
Translation
Intended audience
Everyone
Last reviewed
28 June 2026

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Protect Freedom of Belief and Non-Belief

Source wording

<p>Allow every person to adopt, change, question or reject religious and philosophical beliefs.</p>

Translation

Literal meaning

Allow every person to adopt, change, question or reject religious and philosophical beliefs.

Broader interpretation

Religious observances may be meaningful when voluntary, but public rules require reasons accessible across different beliefs.

Practical meaning

Allow every person to adopt, change, question or reject religious and philosophical beliefs.

Ethical purpose

Religious observances may be meaningful when voluntary, but public rules require reasons accessible across different beliefs.

Modern application

Apply this principle to personal conduct, organisations and public policy, with particular attention to people and beings who carry the greatest risks while holding the least power.

Criticism and difficult cases

This principle may conflict with other duties. It should therefore be applied with evidence, proportionality, role reversal, attention to power and review of foreseeable consequences.

Truth By Reason analysis

Religious observances may be meaningful when voluntary, but public rules require reasons accessible across different beliefs.

Sources