The Rev. Dr. Richard Boeke: A Life of Faith in Action Across Borders
The Rev. Dr. Richard “Dick” Boeke (March 2, 1931 – May 25, 2025), a tireless advocate for interfaith cooperation and religious freedom, passed away on May 25th. His legacy in the Unitarian Universalist tradition and the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) reflects a rare combination of theological depth, institutional leadership, and joyful service. Born […]
2569th Buddha Birth Anniversary Celebration at Gandhi Centre, Visakhapatnam
On May 24, 2025, the B.V. Foundation for Peace & Harmony (a member group of IARF), in collaboration with United Religions Initiative and the Gandhi Centre, Visakhapatnam, hosted a lecture on “Buddhism in Promoting Peace and Harmony” to mark the 2569th Buddha Birth Anniversary. Dr. Maturi Srinivas, a noted pulmonologist and Buddhist scholar, delivered a […]
Buddhism and Free Religion: Continuing the Dialogue
The Free Religion Institute is pleased to announce another session in our ongoing series with Rev. Michinori Maruta exploring the connections between Buddhism and Free Religion (自由宗教 jiyū shūkyō). These talks and discussions have thus far been offered as standalone sessions rather than a formal course for the Institute. We’re excited to share that we […]
IALRW Conference 2025: Power of Dialogue and Partnership
The International Association of Liberal Religious Women will host its 2025 Conference in Kuching, Malaysia, June 11-16..
Free Religion Institute Presents: Imaoka’s Religious Practices (Session 3)
The Free Religion Institute continues its inaugural e-learning season with the third session of Rev. Andrew Brown’s exploration of Japanese free religion through the work of Imaoka Shin’ichirō. This course examines how Imaoka’s ideas have shaped liberal religious thought in Japan, with previous sessions now available as recordings for IARF members. We’re excited to announce […]
EME Conference 2025: Register now!
For the first time, this EME conference will be hybrid, allowing members and friends from around the world to join us either in person or online. This year’s theme, “Limits of Religious Freedom and Tolerance,” promises thoughtful discussion and exploration. We’ll delve into how liberal religious perspectives engage with contemporary challenges to freedom of thought, […]
IARF Endorses Statements on Women’s Rights and Minority Religious Identity
The International Association for Religious Freedom recently affirmed its commitment to global human rights and interfaith collaboration by endorsing two significant international statements focusing on gender equality and the protection of religious minorities. Supporting Gender Equality & Civil Society IARF proudly joined over 100 NGOs in endorsing the International Women’s Day 2025 statement, initiated by […]
Celebrating 40 Years: A Report on the IARF JLC Anniversary Gathering
Date: Tuesday, 29 October, 2024 Time: 3.00pm – 6.30pm (Part 1: 3.00–4.20pm, Part 2: 4.30–6.30pm) Location: Hotel Sanraku Kyoto Yamashina Participants: 35 Objective The year 2024, it has been 40 years since the IARF Japan Liaison Committee (JLC) was established on the occasion of the 25th IARF World Congress in Tokyo in 1984. To commemorate […]
New Courses and Events at the Free Religion Institute
The Free Religion Institute launches the first course on its e-learning platform this spring, beginning with an exploration of Japanese free religion through the work of Imaoka Shin’ichirō. Led by Rev. Andrew Brown, this course examines how Imaoka’s ideas shaped liberal religious thought in Japan. Following January’s opening session, which is now available as a […]