BYU Law and Religion Delegates renew commitment to protect freedoms of thought, conscience and religion

Filipino delegates who have attended the prestigious Brigham Young University (BYU) International Law and Religion Symposium over the years reunited for a dinner and solidarity at The Westin Manila last December 6, 2023.

The event also gave tribute to the 75^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the 30^th Anniversary of the annual International Law and Religion Symposium, which, since 1994, has brought together more than 1,300 government, academic and religious leaders and visitors from 138 countries to discuss principles of religious liberty and to explore mechanisms to implement these principles better.

Elder Steven R. Bangerter, President of the Philippines Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided over the reunion dinner. Brother Edgardo Fernando, the Director for Temporal Affairs of the Manila Philippines Administration Office, also attended the event.

“We thank you for coming to the course at Brigham Young University, and we thank you for coming, of course, this evening for this meal,” Elder Bangerter said in his keynote message.

“But we really thank you for your voice of protection and your voice of advancement of fundamental elements of basic humanity that promotes religious beliefs and practice that are the pillars of religious liberty,” he emphasized.

The reunion dinner welcomed a distinguished group of guests, including former Supreme Court of the Philippines Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., Ms. Samira Gutoc, Chairperson of 'Ako Bakwit,' Atty. Jojo Lacanilao, City Administrator of Tacloban City, and Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong, University Counsel and Lecturer at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Each delivered inspiring messages on the group’s enduring commitment to protect universal freedoms of thought, conscience, and religion.

Former Associate Justice Reyes emphasized the importance of unity among religions, emphasizing similarities rather than differences. “In living our faith, let us show love as human beings and as children of God. Instead of using our differences with our religions to divide us, let us show respect and better understanding,” he said.

“We can be stronger than the forces of the evil one if we encourage unity among nations with different religions,” he added.

Atty. Imbong thanked the Supreme Court of the Philippines for consistently upholding religious freedom in the country. She highlighted the court's recent decisions to protect Filipinos' rights to freely exercise their tenets and beliefs despite societal pressures.

Atty. Imbong also dedicated her message to her unforgettable experience of witnessing the performance of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during her short visit to Salt Lake City, Utah. “I mentioned this tribute because I heard that the Tabernacle Choir is coming (to the Philippines) for a tour, and I look forward to that,” she added.

The Choir plans to travel to the Philippines from February 20 through February 29, 2024, as part of their world tour “Hope.” This will be the Choir’s first trip to the Philippines.

The concerts will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Metro Manila. They will feature special guest artists from the Philippines, including globally acclaimed Broadway superstar Ms. Lea Salonga. Elder Bangerter personally invited all guests to the reunion dinner to witness the Choir’s performance in February.

In her short message at the reunion dinner, Gutoc, a human rights and women’s rights advocate as well as a Muslim faith ambassador, said that, like all other holy texts, she said that the Quran encourages love and peace rather than hate and indifference.

“The way to interfaith unity is sometimes not to speak but to keep silent and observe. Let us see each other. Let us walk with each other. Let us observe one another,” she emphasized.

For his part, Atty. Lacanilao said that exercising the people's freedom of thought, conscience, and religion will shield them against discrimination and oppression. He said it will “empower individuals to embrace their convictions” towards a better and more prosperous society.

“We can be stronger than the forces of evil as we encourage unity among nations with different religions. We have so much common ground to do good for humanity and the world,” Atty. Lacanilao added.

After the program, the attendees took valuable time to connect and network. Aside from the distinguished guests who participated in the program, many friends of the Church from other faiths and cause-oriented groups were also invited.

It is important to note that interfaith cooperation does not require doctrinal compromise. Though the Church asserts its ecclesiastical independence and recognizes its doctrinal differences, this does not prevent it from partnering with other faiths in charitable projects. These efforts are based on universal values.

Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a separation between charitable efforts and doctrinal tenets while simultaneously sharing mutual concern for those in need. People of good faith do not need to have the same beliefs to accomplish great things in the service of their fellow human beings.