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.

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conscience clause British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of conscience clause

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

A Freedom of Information request submitted by Love established that he was the first teacher in at least a decade to use the conscience clause.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

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 • Feb. 11, 2022

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 • Oct. 17, 2021

His other most notable legislative effort involved the Religious Liberty Protection Act, essentially a conscience clause designed to limit state and local statutes that interfere with people’s free exercise of religion.

From The Guardian • Sep. 24, 2016

No provision was made for public control beyond the requirement of audit; the sole condition as to religious instruction was the acceptance of a conscience clause.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various