IARF Newsletter: February 2026
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International Association
for Religious Freedom
Serving liberal religious communities and individuals since 1900
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Growing Together on the IARF Network
Our digital community has grown to almost 300 members representing 24 countries. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to log in and connect with fellow members from around the globe.
New Features & Improvements
We have been hard at work upgrading the platform. You will now find a smoother discussion experience with a new "focus mode" for replying to long threads, and we have completely overhauled the Private Messaging system to be real-time—featuring typing indicators and read receipts.
We have also introduced a new Recommendation feature. You can now easily share books that inspire you by selecting "Recommendation" when posting. Simply search for a title or ISBN, and the system will automatically fetch the details for the feed and the dedicated library section.
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Welcome to the Team
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If you’ve noticed increased activity on our social media accounts recently, that is thanks to the newest member of our communications working group, Ernests Ivanovs.
Based in Latvia, Ernests joins us as our first member from the country. With a background in Christian ministry, he describes himself as a bridge between people and cultures.
"I am someone who is deeply passionate about people, connection, and making the world a kinder, more thoughtful place... I am very glad to join IARF to meet religious people with a liberal mindset."
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A Note from the Treasurer
Donations are a very welcome source of income for IARF
In the past years, the number of donations to IARF has steadily increased, and we wish to wholeheartedly thank all donors for their generous contributions. Now that IARF is spreading its wings in various ways, we are getting more dependent on such donations to cover our costs.
If you consider donating to IARF, please look at iarf.net/support_us to find various ways of making payments to us. If there is a local IARF chapter in your country, you could also donate to your chapter. In both cases, you help IARF to better spread its message on freedom of and in religion, tolerance, diversity, and inclusivity.
— Peter le Poole, IARF Treasurer
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Chapter Updates
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Our colleagues in the US have raised serious concerns regarding the Administration’s establishment of a “Religious Liberty Commission” within the Department of Justice. The US Chapter Board has endorsed a lawsuit filed by the Interfaith Alliance, asserting that the commission prioritizes specific conservative religious interests in conflict with federal law.
Read full update...
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IARF Japan Chapter Monthly Letter No. 59
The latest issue blends local tradition with international engagement. It opens with a reflection on the legend of Amano-Iwato and reports on the "Postal Card Collection Drive" which funds humanitarian aid in Bangladesh. The letter also features a detailed report on the 2025 IARF EME Conference in Germany.
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A historical study tour is scheduled for May 20–26, 2026. Hosted by the Polish Unitarian Society, one of our member groups, and organised by Unitarian ministers from the US led by Prof. Jay Atkinson, this pilgrimage explores the 16th-century "heartland" of the Polish Brethren. The journey will focus on Raków—the intellectual center where the Racovian Catechism was published.
Read full details...
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Upcoming Courses & Events
Note on Timezones: Times listed below are in UTC. When you view the event on the E-Learning Platform, times will automatically convert to your local timezone.
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Starts Tomorrow • 14 February 2026
Time: 15:00 UTC
Why are there fundamentalist and liberal interpretations of holy texts? In this new course, Dr. Kurt Bangert explores the presuppositions behind these approaches.
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22 February 2026
Times: 01:00 UTC & 10:00 UTC
Rev. Maruta continues his series on Emptiness (śūnyatā), discussing how it describes how things exist, rather than whether they exist.
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22 February 2026
Time: 18:00 UTC
Welcome to the first IARF Europe and Middle East gathering of 2026. Join us on Zoom to reconnect with regional members.
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7 March 2026
Time: 13:30 UTC
Prof. Mark Reimers (Michigan State University) leads a discussion on the philosophical puzzle of sleep and brain dynamics.
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14 March 2026
Time: 15:00 UTC
In the second session of this series, Dr. Kurt Bangert offers a history of hermeneutics, moving from the importance of presuppositions to the history of interpretation itself.
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Free Religion Institute Courses
The events listed above are part of ongoing courses offered by the Free Religion Institute. Whether you are interested in the scientific study of consciousness, the "Middle Way" of Buddhism, or the historical-critical method of interpreting the Bible and Koran, these resources are free for IARF members. In addition to past sessions of the three courses that are currently running, you can watch recordings of 10 webinars and courses held in 2025.
Visit the E-Learning Platform
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IARF News Digest
Curated stories from the world of religious freedom and our member groups.
UUA President Arrested During D.C. Protest
UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was arrested by Capitol Police in Washington, D.C., during a protest against DHS funding. Joined by hundreds of faith leaders, she emphasized the moral obligation to oppose the dehumanization of neighbors.
Bektashi World Headquarters Marks 96th Anniversary
World Grand Father Edmond Brahimaj honored the historic 1930 decision to move the Bektashi seat to Tirana following persecution in Turkey. His message highlighted the order's enduring role in promoting values of love, tolerance, and national identity.
Festive Commemorations in Torda and Kolozsvár
The Hungarian Unitarian Church celebrated the 458th anniversary of the Edict of Torda, the first law to establish religious freedom. The event included the presentation of the János Zsigmond Award and the announcement of 2026 as a special memorial year.
Interfaith Alliance Challenges Attack on Marriage Equality
The Interfaith Alliance has denounced the 'Greater Than' campaign, an initiative seeking to overturn marriage equality, characterizing it as an attack on both religious freedom and human dignity.
India: Supreme Court issues notices on anti-conversion laws
India's Supreme Court has agreed to review the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws in 12 states. The petitioner argues these laws incentivize vigilante violence, while the Court referenced past judgments on the right to propagate religion.
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© 2026 International Association for Religious Freedom. All rights reserved.
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