DEFINING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM      Without freedom of conscience, there is no freedom of speech, as believers cannot communicate among themselves about their most fundamental beliefs; there is no freedom of assembly, as like-minded believers cannot meet to share their beliefs and worship their Creator; and there is no freedom of the press, as believers cannot print and share their beliefs with others. Religious individuals and groups need and deserve freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to be secure in their homes from unwarranted government intrusion.      A guarantee of religious freedom supports the fundamental rights necessary to all human persons: because it is grounded in the universal dignity of the human person, religious freedom encourages other related rights. A government that denies the right to freedom of religion and belief is far more likely to deny other rights central to human dignity, such as freedom from torture or murder. The reverse is also true.      Freedom of religion and belief is also closely connected to other civil and political rights necessary to democracy.  Religious freedom is not simply a church-state issue, but involves the engagement of every segment of society to secure freedom of belief for each person.