2025 Religious Freedom Annual Review
Becoming Peacemakers Through Supporting Religious Freedom and Pluralism
Why religious freedom? In a world of diverse beliefs about religion and increasingly large numbers of people choosing not to belong to religious institutions, why does religious freedom matter?
The Annual Review brought a broad array of perspectives to this issue, with religious, media, academic, legal, and thought leaders. What role does religion play in building peace and fostering human flourishing? How does religious freedom’s respect for both individual choice as well as the human dignity of all increasingly matter in a fractious world? Experts on religious freedom and peacemaking explored the interconnections.
Empirical evidence provides surprising demonstrations of the enormous power religion brings to human flourishing. Sociologists of religion as well as religious leaders from a variety of faiths looked at what this empirical evidence means in practice.
Breakout sessions examined ways popular culture portrays religion and how religious individuals can respond, and explore legal developments.
Recordings
General Sessions
Opening and General Session
General Session: Religious Freedom's Contributions to Social Flourishing
Why Religious Freedom Matters to Me
General Session: Peacemaking, Dignity, and Civility and Closing Remarks
Legal Developments
Current Supreme Court Religious Liberty Cases
Parental Rights in Public Schools
Civility, Religious Liberty, and Nondiscrimination
Religion's Impact in Our Communities
Contributions of Chaplains
Forgiveness in the Public Square
Interfaith Service's Impact on Religious Believers
Practical Peacemaking
The Power of Religious Institutions to Counter the Spiritual Crisis of Toxic Polarization
Interfaith Community Revitalization
Pluralism and Peacemaking on College Campuses
How Can I Make a Difference?
Regional Activities of the Religious Freedom Alliance Council
Tools for Awareness and Conversations
Responding to Portrayals of Religion in the Media
Photo Albums
Cooper Douglass photos
