Aspects of Religious Freedom (Sec. 5, Art. III)

1. Freedom to believe and not to believe – A person’s right to believe whatever he wishes is absolute. The State cannot inquire into the validity or truth of one’s belief. The theory is that a religious belief by itself cannot to any degree affect public interest.

2. Freedom to act in accordance to one’s belief or freedom to exercise such belief – This right is not and cannot be absolute because any act of man is always subject to regulation and even prohibition for the protection of the society.