It may not have even caught your attention. It may not appear to be that different. But when people, especially the current president of the United States, intentionally replace the words \u201cfreedom of religion\u201d with \u201cfreedom of worship,\u201d is it just a distinction without a difference, or is it a major change about which we need to be concerned?<\/p>\n
In order to explain what amounts to tremendous differences between the two phrases, let me offer a recent example. In Colorado, a religious freedom amendment to the state constitution has been proposed that prohibits the government from \u201cburden[ing] a person\u2019s or religious organization\u2019s freedom of religion\u201d unless it shows a compelling interest \u2013 which offers the highest level of protection. In comparison, the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from \u201cprohibiting the free exercise\u201d of religion.<\/p>\n