[applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: in this place which is symbolic of the american way, of the model of the united states, i would like to reflect with you on the right to religious freedom. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: it is a fundamental right which shapes the ways we interact socially and personally with our neighbors whose religious views differ from our own. [speaking spanish]

.. ideal of interreligious dialogue where all men and women have different religious make dialogue without fighting each other, that is what religious freedom gives us. religious freedom certainly religious freedom certainly means the right to worship god,d individually and in community. as our own conscience dictates. but on the other hand, religious liberty by its nature transcends

places of worship, and the private sphere of individuals and families. because the religious dimension is not a fact culture. it is a part of any society and any nation. [applause] arborist religious traditions, our various religious traditions serves society primarily by the message they proclaim. they call individuals and

communities to worship god, the source all life, liberty, and happiness. they remind us of the transcendent dimension of human existence and of our errata civil freedom in the face of every claim to absolute power. we need but look at history and it's good for us to look at history, especially to the history of this last century to see the atrocities perpetrated by systems which claimed to build one or another earthly

paradise by dominating people, subjecting them to apparently indisputable principles and denying them any kind of rights. our rich religious traditions seek to offer meaning and direction. they have an enduring power to open new horizons always, to stimulate thought, to expand the mind and heart. they call to conversion, reconciliation, concern for the future of society. this self-sacrifice in the service of the common good and compassion for those in need. at the heart of their spiritual

mission is the proclamation of the truth and dignity of the human person and of all human rights. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: our religious traditions remind us that as human beings we are called to acknowledge and other who reveals our relational identity in the face of every effort to impose a uniformity to which the egotism of the powerful, the conformism of the week or the ideology of the utopian would seek to impose on us. in a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to

suppress religious freedom, or as i said already, try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice or vote in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality, it is imperative that the followers of the various religions joined their voices in calling for peace, for tolerance, and respect for the dignity and rights of others. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: we live in a time subject to the

globalization of the technocratic paradigm, which consciously aims at a one dimensional uniformity and seeks to eliminate all differences and traditions in a superficial quest for unity. the religions, religions, thus, have the right and the duty to make clear that it is possible to build a society where a healthy pluralism which he truly respects differences and values them as such is a precious ally in the commitment to defending human dignity and a path to peace in our troubled world, in

our world so harmed by war. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: these quakers who founded philadelphia were inspired by a profound evangelical sense of the dignity of each individual as well as i the ideals of a community united by brotherly love. this conviction led him to found a colony which would be a haven of religious freedom and tolerance. that sense of fraternal concern for the dignity of all, especially the weak and the vulnerable, became an essential part of the american spirit.

during his visit to the united states in 1987, saint john paul ii paid moving homage to this, reminding all americans that the ultimate test of their greatness was the way that every human being would be treated, especially the weakest and most defenseless ones. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: i take this opportunity to thank all those who, whatever their religion, have sought to serve god, have

sought to serve the god of peace by building cities of brotherly love. by caring for neighbors in need, by defending the dignity of god's gift of life in all its stages, by defending the cause of the poor and immigrant. too often those most in need everywhere are unable to be heard. you are their voice, and many of you, men and women, religious, have made their cry heard with its witness which frequently encounters powerful resistance. you remind american democracy of

the ideals for which they were founded, and you remind us that society is weakened whenever and wherever any injustice prevails. [applause] >> translator [speaking spanish] >> translator: a few moments ago, i spoke of the tendency towards globalization. globalization in and of itself is not bad. on the contrary, the globalizing tendency is good. it brings us together. but what may be that is the way this happens.

if globalization would seek to make everyone the same as if it were a single sphere, that globalization destroys the richness and the particularity, the individuality of every person and of every people. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: if globalization seeks to bring all of us together, but to do so respecting each person, each individual persons richness and peculiarity respecting all peoples and their own distinctness, that globalization is good and makes us all grow and leads to peace.

[applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: i like to use geometry here. if globalization is fear where each point is at a distance from the center, then it isn't good because it handles each of us. but if globalization joins us as a polyhedron where we are altogether but each concerns his or her own identity, then it's good and it gives dignity to all men, and grants them rights. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: there are, among us today, members of

america's large hispanic population. [cheers and applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: as well as representatives of recent immigrants to the united states. thank you for opening this door. many of you have emigrated, and i greet you with particular affection. many of you have emigrated to this country at great personal cost, but in the hope of building a new life. do not be discouraged by whatever challenges and hardships you face.

i ask you not to forget that, like those who came here before you, you bring many gifts to this nation. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: please, don't ever be ashamed of your traditions. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: do not forget the lessons you learned from your elders, which is something that may enrich the life of this american land. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: i repeat, do not be ashamed of that which is a part of your lifeblood. you are also called to be responsible citizens.

you are called to be responsible citizens, and to contribute as those who came before did so, to contribute fruitfully delight of the communities in which you live. i think in particular of the vibrant faith which so many of you possess, the deep sense of family life and all those other values which you have inherited. by contributing your gifts you will not only find your place here, you will help also to renew society from within. [applause]

[speaking spanish] >> translator: do not forget what happened here more than two centuries ago. do not forget that declaration that proclaimed that all men and women are created equal, that they are in and out of by their creator -- that they are endowed by their creator a certain inalienable rights, that governments exist to protect and defend these rights. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: dear friends, i thank you for your warm welcome

and for joining me here today. let us keep and care for freedom, the freedom of conscience, religious liberty, each individual, each family, each people's own liberty which is what gives us our rights. me this country and each of you be renewed in gratitude for the many blessings and freedoms that you enjoy. and may you defend these rights, especially religious freedom, given to you by god. may god bless you all, and i ask

you please, pray for me a little bit, too. thank you. [applause] [speaking spanish] >> translator: my brothers and sisters in christ, let us pray. our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into

temptation but deliver us from evil. the lord be with you. >> and also with you. >> me god bless you all. [cheers and applause] [applause]

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[background sounds] >> when you look at the role that the supreme court is playing in our society now our history series has to have relevance. and so as we thought about what would you to give relevance to record programming issues on the court made all the sense in the world. >> the court is an equal plant of government.

it's the third branch of government. it still has fundamental impact on americanamerican s lies. >> inside his elegant building is a courtroom where cases are heard and decisions are made that impact all of our lives. there's so many incredibly interesting cases in the courts history. we've all heard about roe v. wade, brown v. board of education but for so many people they are just names and a textbook. would want to do is really talk about not knowing the legal side of the case about the people involved. they are human beings who feel so passionate building wrong or the rights bring a bridge that they brought th their cases to e court's. i think what people will find most passing about these cases are the personal stories one of my personal favorites is matt versus ohio and the story. i think we people. this personal story of this woman and the situation, that

they will fall in love with these cases, that they will feel passionate about what happens in the court and why they matter and why you should care. >> picking the 12 cases was a really difficult and arduous task. it was fun because we learned a lot but those 12 cases represent really our evolving understanding of rights in america. would you take a look from dred scott to the korematsu chased him around all the way to roe v. wade you really do learn not only about the history of the country but evolving rights in america. >> landmark cases, historic supreme court decisions produced in cooperation with the national constitution center, delving into 12 supreme court cases that significantly influenced our nation's history at our evolving understanding of rights in america live monday nights at 9 p.m. eastern beginning october 5 on c-span and c-span3, and as a companion to our new series, landmark cases the book. it features the 12 cases with

selected with a brief introduction into the background, highlights an impact that each case written by the supreme court journalist tony moral. published by c-span in cooperation with "congressional quarterly" press, an imprint of sage publications. landmark cases is available for $8.95 plus shipping and handling. get your copy at c-span.org/landmark cases. >> we take you live to the national press club to her from the chair of the national endowment for the arts jane chu on the activities planned for the fifth anniversary of the tablet. introductions are underway. ..