This article commemorates the Transylvanian Unitarian victims of the repression following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, who faced persecution, imprisonment, and forced labor for advocating spiritual and national freedom. Numerous Unitarian clergy, theology professors (including Dr. Lőrinczi Mihály and future Bishop Dr. Erdő János), and students were targeted by the regime. Sentences often ranged from several years to 25 years of hard labor (as experienced by Nyitrainé Deák Berta and Sándor Balázs). Rázmány Mór is identified as the first Unitarian victim of Communism, interned in 1952–53. Tragic fates included Pastor Gellérd Imre, who committed suicide due to harassment, and Moyses Márton, who self-immolated in 1970 in protest. The community is urged to preserve their memory and draw strength from their courage. An ecumenical memorial service is announced for October 23rd at the Unitarian Church in Cluj-Napoca.

Timothy Stacey has been appointed as the new endowed professor of Liberal Religiosity and Humanism at the University for Humanistics (UvH), effective November 1st. This chair, financed by the Foundation for the Promotion of Liberal Thought (SSVG), is dedicated to researching sources of meaning and values from liberal traditions to guide individuals and society in a secular and diverse world. Stacey, a religious scholar and anthropologist, will focus his research on symbolic strategies that help restore faith in freedom and democracy, emphasizing that the ‘religion of a free society’ originates among those striving for a better world.

This article reviews Rienk Klooster’s extensive reference work, “Het Modernisme in Friesland 1840-1940,” which chronicles the history of theological liberalism (vrijzinnigheid) in the Dutch province of Friesland. The book highlights unique figures and events, such as Louis Bähler, a controversial Christian anarchist minister inspired by Buddhism and Tolstoy; Jan Sevenster, who was jailed for his anti-militarist views expressed in the Conscientious Objection Manifesto of 1915; and Frits Reitsma, the ‘red minister’ who established a reed-weaving school to alleviate local poverty. The text emphasizes Friesland’s crucial role in the development of Dutch liberalism, noting it hosted the first department of the Association of Liberal Reformed Christians.

An interview and report on the launch of a new comprehensive photo-monograph, “To the Worship of the One God. The Congregations of the 450-Year-Old Hungarian Unitarian Church,” detailing 155 congregations across 506 pages and 736 photos. Editors highlight the book’s importance in providing a unified historical overview after nearly a century, showcasing the resilience, community strength, and capacity for renewal of the Unitarian Church through centuries of minority existence and hardship. They emphasize that the churches and religious artifacts are living parts of faith life, not just relics.

Twenty-five young liberal religious individuals, representing various denominations (Mennonites, Remonstrants, etc.), met at the Ecumenical Inspiration Festival to foster unity and discuss the future of the freethinking movement. Participants agreed that collaborative efforts are essential for survival and growth, stating, “Only together do we have a future.” They plan to develop joint initiatives and programs, focusing specifically on engaging younger generations (those in their thirties and forties).

This opinion piece argues that while the Trump administration promoted religious freedom, its concurrent efforts to undermine fundamental democratic rights—such as freedom of speech, press, and due process—ultimately jeopardize religious liberty itself. The authors, bipartisan advocates for religious freedom, assert that religious freedom cannot survive unless the entire constitutional framework and the rule of law are robustly protected.

Yoni Finlay, a survivor of the deadly antisemitic attack at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, shares his account of facing the attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, and sustaining a gunshot wound from police during the incident, which left two worshippers dead. The article highlights the profound impact on the British Jewish community and discusses the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the 7 October attack on Israel, arguing that the normalization of antisemitism by the government and media contributed to the climate that enabled the atrocity. Finlay stresses the need for compassion to overcome hate rather than relying solely on increased physical security.

The Baháʼí International Community (BIC) has launched a new book, “In Full Partnership: Thirty Years of Women’s Advancement at the United Nations and Beyond”, commemorating three decades since the UN’s Fourth World Conference on Women and its Beijing Declaration. This comprehensive volume compiles the BIC’s extensive contributions to the global discourse on gender equality, presented at an event in its New York Office attended by diplomats, UN officials, and civil society leaders.

Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica lauded the book as a vital contribution to the ongoing journey towards equality, noting that empowering women and girls leads to safer societies, stronger economies, and more enduring peace. The book structures BIC’s perspectives around the twelve critical concerns of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, with additional sections on the roles of men and boys, and the intersection of faith and feminism.

Bani Dugal, BIC Principal Representative, highlighted that the Baháʼí community’s commitment to gender equality is fundamental for advancing civilization and achieving peace. The publication acknowledges persistent challenges like political polarization and patriarchal norms but also celebrates progress achieved through collaborative efforts. It illustrates, through global Baháʼí community experiences, how societal engagement can foster new cultural patterns rooted in equality.

Liliane Nkunzimana, a BIC representative, emphasized that true progress necessitates not only legal and policy reforms but also a transformation of mindsets, relationships, and cultural norms, enabling women and men to participate equally in building just and inclusive societies. The book serves as a resource for various stakeholders, advocating for renewed collective action towards justice and peace by translating the principle of equality into lived reality.

The article, through letters to the editor, discusses the challenges facing Sarah Mullally, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Reverend Martine Oborne highlights that the Church of England still allows teachings of male authority over women, likening it to a football team with two managers for dissenting views. This leads to accusations of misogyny against churches limiting female vicars and bishops who welcome Mullally but refuse communion from women. The authors call for the Church to move beyond endless debates on gender, sexuality, and race to offer a dynamic and inspirational Christianity relevant to a modern world of connectivity and AI. Other points touch on the term “enthroned,” the importance of spiritual transformation over policy, and a defense against the perception of “declining congregations” by noting 700,000 weekly Anglican attendees in England.