What is National Religious Freedom Day?
National Religious Freedom Day is held each year on the anniversary of the signing of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. The 16th of January 16th is declared Religious Freedom Day each year by Presidential Proclamation.
The United States Consitution's founding clause, Thomas Jefferson's historic statute, became the basis for Congressman Fisher Ames' establishment clause in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
This day, the First Freedom Center in Richmond, Virginia, commemorates this day by hosting an annual First Freedom Award banquet.
The law guarantees the fundamental right to freely practice one's faith without fear of being harassed, jailed, or killed. In addition, each individual may freely change their faith without retribution under the statute.. People of various faiths have equal rights to practice their faith in the United States.
Religious persecutions continue to rise around the world. According to Pew study, global demand, legislation, attitudes, and policies have risen in the last decade. According to Pew's report, legislative, hopes, and policies are on the rise in the last decade globally. Even those countries that are normally considered restrictive are increasing their limits. When examining countries with the largest percentage of equality, they also show a change in policies and attitudes toward religious liberty. Religious liberty is a global threat, not limited to a national one.
