[A] guiding principle for all of this work will be that our actions must be consistent with the United States Constitution. Employees of our government can and should engage faith-based leaders and communities on US policy priorities just as they do other civil society leaders and communities. At the same time, our precious religious freedom guarantees of the First Amendment mean that we must observe some special rules when we engage religious actors and matters, such as ensuring governmental neutrality toward faith. All diplomatic and consular posts will receive guidance and continuing assistance on these important issues.The exact relationship of the new office to existing State Department officials concerned with religious issues is not clear, though both Secretary Kerry and Dr. Casey assured cooperation with them. Currently serving in roles related to religion are Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook, Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Rashad Hussain, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Ira Forman, and Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith.
Meanwhile, The Immanent Frame has published an exchange between 17 experts on the prospects for the new Office and its implications for religious diversity and non-religious civil society organizations.
