The article reveals the very essence of freedom of worldview and religion as a fundamental right, a tool for an individual’s social integration, the fulfillment of his/her duties as a citizen, and the ensuring of his/her free development. Based on interdisciplinary research in religious studies and jurisprudence, the role of law as a neutral regulator is determined, particularly in the sphere of the individual’s freedom of thought, worldview, and beliefs. Since thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and concepts serve as a means of social integration, the individual and institutional components of freedom of worldview and religion are revealed in the understanding of this freedom. On this pravoua.com.ua 40 Михайло Савчин basis, certain models of state intervention in the exercise of freedom of worldview and religion are constructed, which, in accordance with the requirements of the rule of law and respect for human dignity, must be neutral with regard to certain religious denominations. Such freedom is not absolute; therefore, to protect constitutional democracy, it may be subject to certain restrictions within the framework of international obligations, in accordance with the principle of proportionality. The methodological basis is the concept of substantive law and the principle of proportionality, as applied to determining the legitimate limits of public authority interference in the exercise of freedom of conscience and religion, taking into account the individual and institutional components of this freedom. Separate aspects of this freedom are considered through the prism of the principles of republicanism and secularism, which are based on the concept of the nation-state as a space of security for its own citizens who exercise their civil rights and duty to defend their homeland. The world of human beliefs is often complex, laced with numerous factors that are important for a person’s development as an individual and for their social integration. Each sovereign individual is recognized as having private autonomy in forming a coherent system of ideas, goals, values, beliefs, and views that shape their worldview, which can be a whole network of religious, aesthetic, ethical, and scientific ideas and postulates that recognize the motivation and driving forces behind their behavior and degree of socialization. Religious beliefs create the spiritual, ethical, and moral basis for such motivation; examples of famous scientists who were also believers in their religious denomination testify only to the intertwining of such ideas and motives for practical actions, which was important for the further development of humanity. Freedom of worldview is an act of private autonomy, that is, a conscious choice by a person without external pressure regarding their vision of themselves in the world, their understanding of phenomena in it, their relationships in the world, and their value attitudes regarding the motives and justification of their behavior. Freedom of religion consists in the existence of a certain system of ideas regarding the understanding of the essence of the Divine and value judgments that determine the motivation and behavior of a person as an individual, as well as determine a certain degree of their socialization. Freedom of worldview and religion is relative, i.e., it may be restricted on the basis of proportionality in accordance with the law if there is an urgent and recognized social need according to specific criteria in the constitution and international treaties, However, there can be no infringement on the essential content of this right, i.e., the imposition of restrictions, burdens, and obstacles that would make its exercise impossible. In accordance with the principles of republicanism and in support of the country’s defense capability, every citizen must contribute to the defense of the Fatherland in the event of aggression against Ukraine and a threat to its existence. The task of defending Ukraine as a space of security for citizens can be carried out within the framework of their mobilization for alternative non-military service. To this end, the law should provide grounds and procedures for resolving conscientious objection to military service on the basis of religious beliefs, and determine the procedure for performing alternative non-military service, taking into account the level of education, qualifications, and professional skills of citizens.

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