This article is part of the Religious Freedom Reframed series, which is exploring perspectives on religious freedom that have historically been left out of public discourse, as well as implications for individuals, institutions, and society overall. In this series, authors will use a public justice framework to explore narratives that are traditionally left out of the conversation on religious freedom. This series is designed to introduce fresh perspectives, feature new voices, and examine historical and present injustices in the application of religious freedom. The Center for Public Justice, a Christian faith-based organization with a strong commitment to religious freedom, has intentionally invited authors from diverse faith traditions and perspectives on religious freedom to share their insights and experiences of religious freedom in the United States.
In February Minister Kerwin Webb, the author, participated in a webinar “Religious Freedom Reframed: A Conversation with the Next Generation.” Below is a brief reflection followed by a link to the panel discussion.
BY MINSTER KERWIN WEBB
Religious Freedom is a useful and necessary tool for the Christian believer to live out Jesus’ instruction to “love thy neighbor as ourselves” (Matt 22:37-39). Too often, religious freedom as a concept — and as a practice — is entangled with and synonymous to religious conservatism. This has the effect — particularly in cultural and legal contexts where white Protestant theological and political conservatism is the majority — of unjust treatment for other religious and spiritual minority groups. High-profile religious freedom cases that reinforce these traditionally conservative values like Burwell v Hobby Lobby and Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission can leave a negative impression of religious freedom. However, to understand religious freedom only as a conservative political weapon, as some view it, would ignore the overwhelming and transformative examples of religious freedom that are manifested daily through the actions, patterns, and practices of individuals and institutions of faith within society. Ignoring these realities will cause us to miss one of the best opportunities to respond to Jesus’ radical command to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is critically important that the next generation of leaders, or, more appropriately, the now generation of leaders, begin to engage in this dialogue for two important reasons: (1) to reclaim and redeem religious freedom as a concept, and (2) to begin to reimagine religious freedom’s importance in impacting the world.
RECLAIMING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Reclaiming religious freedom is important because there is power in creating space for people to live out their sacred beliefs. Although too often viewed in a negative light, we must realize there is much to be gained from groups exercising their religious freedoms. For emerging faith-leaders engaged in facilitating societal change, removing the negative stigma from the concept of religious freedom will allow them to be more effective at coalition-building and more impactful in their missions.
REIMAGINING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Religious freedom has too often been employed as a tool of control to direct the behavior and actions of others. As new and more diverse leaders begin to engage in the religious freedom conversation, it becomes possible to reimagine the possibilities. New voices, ideas, and experiences will introduce possibilities into the conversation that may not have been considered before. With reduced stigma and new possibilities, individuals and organizations can live into their religious convictions in new and creative ways.
Religious freedom means freedom from onerous/burdensome requirements and the freedom to live out personal convictions in ways that affirm and satisfy religious convictions. People and organizations are compelled to act based on what they believe are the requirements of their faith traditions. Constitutional law allows individuals to practice what they believe, which in turn allows them to impact the world in positive ways. An inaccurate or incomplete understanding of religious freedom at times may prohibit important work from being accomplished. Emerging and current leaders engaging with policymakers and religiously diverse individuals and organizations can help facilitate harmonious interactions for all people. A world where religious freedom for all is supported, encouraged, and nurtured resembles a flourishing, thriving, harmonious community. This community could manifest itself in a world without war; a world where the hungry are fed, the homeless are able to find adequate shelter, and people are able to fulfill their God-given purposes without fear, hindrance, or interference. In short, an ideal vision of religious freedom is where all people and institutions, regardless of faith or practices, are respected, affirmed, and supported. It is important that we strive towards this reality, because religious freedom offers the best hope for a transformed society and world.
Minister Kerwin Webb is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Alabama State University in 2004. In 2012, Kerwin incorporated Renew My World (RMW) Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on child development, youth outreach, and adult empowerment to begin working towards effecting change in his community. Minister Webb is a 2019 graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Certificate in Black Church Studies. Currently he serves as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park, president of the Greater Red Bank Area NAACP, coalition liaison for the New Jersey Social Justice Remembrance Coalition, and board chair of the T. Thomas Fortune Foundation. Kerwin’s motto is empowerment through education, and success through personal accountability.
In February 2022, Minister Webb was a panelist on a webinar titled “Religious Freedom Reframed: A Conversation with the Next Generation”, hosted by First Amendment Voice. Mr. Webb was joined by fellow panelists Amar Peterman, Director of the Ideos Institute, and Yasmine Arrington, Founder and Executive Director of ScholarCHIPS, in a conversation moderated by CPJ Fellow Chelsea Langston Bombino. The panel discussed how the experiences of religious minorities and BIPOC communities have been largely excluded from religious freedom conversations, which has led us to an incomplete understanding of religious freedom. They then explored ways to reframe the legal and cultural narratives for the promotion of racial equity and shared flourishing.
READ MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Introducing Religious Freedom Reframed by Joshua Seiersen and Chelsea Langston Bombino
The Paradox of the Black Church and Religious Freedom by Jacqueline C. Rivers, Ph.D.
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