freedom of conscience
A legal and philosophical term referring to the right to hold and act upon one's own moral or ethical beliefs without external coercion.
The constitution guarantees freedom of conscience.
Freedom of conscience is one of the fundamental human rights.
Refers specifically to freedom of religion, whereas 良心の自由 covers broader moral and ethical convictions beyond religious belief.
Refers to freedom of thought in general, while 良心の自由 emphasizes the right to act according to one's conscience.
Compound of 良心 (conscience) + の (possessive particle) + 自由 (freedom). The phrase is a direct translation of the Western legal concept 'freedom of conscience'.