liberty of conscience

liberty of conscience (uncountable)

1. The freedom to follow one's religious or ethical beliefs.

   Synonym: freedom of conscience

   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 19, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     the Emperor Julian useth the same receipt of libertie of conscience, to enkindle the trouble of civill dissention, which our Kings employ to extinguish.

   • 2010, Alistair Cooke, The Guardian, 12 June 1957:

     The 1620 ship brought a small company of brave men and women to plant here liberty of conscience denied them in their homeland.