Religious freedom is under siege in the modern world, particularly in the wake of the sexual revolution.

This was the powerful message delivered by Dr Helen Alvaré during her address in Sydney last night, hosted by Campion College, a Catholic liberal arts college.

A prominent voice in the defence of religious liberties and an advocate for rational human rights, especially concerning family issues, Dr Alvaré outlined the threats posed to religious freedom by government policies influenced by the sexual revolution and offered a pathway for preserving these essential freedoms.

Dr Alvaré began by highlighting the deep-seated changes that have occurred over the last 60 years.

Historically, governments and religious institutions shared a common understanding of sex and marriage, both seeing these as foundational to society.

This consensus held that sex should occur within a context mindful of the future, particularly the well-being of children, who naturally desire to be loved by the people who brought them into the world.

However, this common-sense understanding has been eroded by a new set of adult-centric rights that prioritize immediate personal freedom over the long-term consequences for children and society.

The rise of widespread contraception, abortion, and the state-sanctioned recognition of same-sex unions, followed by the acceptance of transgender treatments for children, represents a significant shift in societal norms.

According to Dr Alvaré, these developments have severed the link between sex and its natural consequences, namely, the creation and nurturing of life.

"We are unlinking sex from tomorrow," Dr. Alvaré stated, "and forgetting about kids for adult rights."

One of the most pressing threats to religious freedom, as Dr Alvaré sees it, is the growing pressure for Christian institutions to conform to the new sexual orthodoxy.

Governments increasingly attach strings to funding, compelling religious organisations to comply with policies that contradict their teachings on marriage, sex, and family.

This coercion undermines the ability of these institutions to operate according to their beliefs, effectively silencing their voice in the public square.

Dr. Alvaré argues that the current environment presents a triple threat to religious freedom.

First, the new sexual orthodoxy relegates religious freedom to just one of many competing freedoms, often considering it less important than others, such as sexual freedom.

Second, religious institutions are portrayed as oppressors, especially when their teachings clash with the desires of marginalised groups, such as women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Third, there is an increasing tendency to devalue the communal and institutional aspects of religion, reducing religious freedom to something only individuals, not communities, are entitled to.

In response to these challenges, Dr. Alvaré advocates for a robust defence of religious teachings as not only reasonable but also loving and essential for the common good. She emphasised, "There is not a sliver of daylight between our social justice impetus and our sex morality."

These teachings, she stressed, are deeply intertwined and rooted in a commitment to love and serve others.

Moreover, she underscored the importance of understanding these teachings as intrinsic to the Christian faith, not as optional moral rules, but as reflections of the divine order and for the common good.

Finally, Dr Alvaré called for religious institutions to be proactive in defending their mission and the broader societal benefits they offer.

Religious freedom, she argued, is not just about protecting the rights of believers but about promoting the common good.

Christian teachings on family, sex, and marriage have historically contributed to healthier, more stable societies, and their preservation is crucial for the well-being of future generations.

In a time when the very foundation of religious freedom is being questioned, Dr Alvaré’s insights offer a clear path forward: defend religious teachings as reasonable, loving, and essential for the common good, and ensure that religious institutions remain steadfast in their mission, regardless of the pressures to conform.

As she concluded, "We need to make the case that religious freedom is not just a right we demand, but a gift we offer for the benefit of all."

Dr Alvaré’s latest book is Religious Freedom after the Sexual Revolution.