Panel: Navigating Doubt and Dogma in the Practice of Free Religion

Description

This panel from the 2025 IARF European and Middle East Conference features a discussion on the challenges of practicing and advocating for religious freedom. Moderated by Pascal Reddig, the session brings together Seyran Ateş (founder, Ibn Rushd-Goethe Mosque), Renate Bauer (President, Federation of Free Religious Congregations in Germany), Robert Innes (former IARF President), and George Williams (then-current IARF President).

Describing the subject as a "tightrope walk," the panelists explore the balance between upholding religious freedom and confronting harmful dogmas. Drawing on their professional and personal experiences, they discuss strategies for supporting individuals who question their traditions, engaging with intolerance, and advocating for oppressed communities. The conversation touches on key themes such as the role of language in shaping belief, the search for hope in an era of anxiety, and the intergenerational work required to foster a more liberative approach to faith.