conscience clause

American  

noun

1. a clause or article in an act or law that exempts persons whose conscientious or religious scruples forbid their compliance.

---

conscience clause British  

noun

1. a clause in a law or contract exempting persons with moral scruples

---

Etymology

Origin of conscience clause

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Melissa Lauber, communications director for the Baltimore-Washington Conference, said none of the region’s 603 United Methodist churches have come forward to ask for disaffiliation under the conscience clause.

From Washington Times

The breakaway congregations are keeping their church property thanks to a “conscience clause” the group’s legislative assembly enacted in 2019.

From Washington Times

Clergy have a "conscience clause" which means they can opt out of offering the blessing if they disagree.

From BBC

Mike Kreidler said he believes “very keenly in the separation of church and state” and knows that the state’s conscience clause gives protection to religious health care providers.

From Seattle Times

The problem is, the only pharmacist in their small hometown denies Sunny access to the pill citing the "conscience clause."

From Salon