July 24th, 2025, 8am MDT
When Stephen T. Collis was enrolled at the University of Michigan Law School, he was unaware that Douglas Lacock, a world-renowned scholar of religious freedom, was teaching there. Colis looked “funny” so we filmed Laycock’s class.
The class unexpectedly ignites his passion for the field. Fascinated by the nuances of religious freedom law, Colis often couldn’t wait for the house to stoke, and shared what he had learned with his wife.
“I didn’t even know that religious freedom law was a field, and I fell in love with every aspect of it,” he said. “I didn’t get enough of it…and I’ve been involved ever since.”
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter-day Saints, Collis is a professor of clinical law at the University of Texas School of Law and is an author and clinical professor of Bech Laurin First Amendment Center and its Law and Religion Clinic. As an academic and religious freedom lawyer, he speaks to people of almost every religious belief, including atheists and agnostics.
Collis discussed religious freedom and why it is important as a recent guest on the Church News Podcast.
“Religious freedom is important to each and every one of us on our own journey,” he said. “I hope we can all be grateful. ‘Is there God?’ and ‘Why are we here?’
What is religious freedom?
Collis said that religious freedom in the United States is the right to practice religion without government interference. It also means protecting governments that support one religion or religious belief for another.
“Whenever possible, government is meant to remain in our religious choices and religious decisions. And then we are left to ourselves to persuade each other and convert each other,” Colis said. “It protects everyone who lives in this country, regardless of their beliefs or non-beliefs.”
Why is religious freedom important?
Collis provided two reasons why religious freedom is important.
First, he said that supporting religious freedom contributes to human suffering and prevention of war. The lack of religious freedom has historically led to religious wars.
“In the absence of religious freedom, we must fight for government control based on the type of religious belief, which has historically led to wars around the world and even today.
“We live in the most religiously diverse countries in the history of the world, living with each other in relatively peace. That’s a miracle that people really don’t understand.”
Second reason? It means protecting personal decisions.
“These are our most important decisions in our lives. Why are we here? What happens when we die? Is there God?” he said. “These types of questions are so personal that we don’t want anyone in the government to force us, so we should all care about it, regardless of our beliefs or non-convictions.”
Church perspective
Colis said the church values religious freedom based on the Bible. The Bible defends the right to worship when they choose (see Article 11 of the Faith and Doctrine and Covenants 134:7, 9).
Church leaders are also active in promoting religious freedom around the world, defending the rights of all faiths.
“As someone who speaks regularly at conferences around the world and is regularly involved in educating people about religious freedom, the Church is always willing to participate in these things: educating people about religious freedom and helping them stand up for religious freedom.
Personal role
Collis said individuals can promote religious freedom by educating themselves, confronting others’ beliefs, and highlighting the positive influence of religion. He said that most threats arise locally, and citizens can make a difference by engaging in local governance and defending religious rights.
As taught by Church President Russell M. Nelson, Colis said he strives to understand religious freedom and is a peace superintendent.
“Peacemakers tend to spend time trying to understand the motivations and perspectives of people who disagree,” he said, rather than assuming they have to be monsters right away. “A good peace supervisor will try to understand.”
