Pastor Karl van Klaveren reflects on the historical unity of philosophy and theology, suggesting that labels often obscure the universal nature of wisdom. He argues for an interconnected worldview that sees all humanity as the image of God, transcending traditional religious and social boundaries.

Reflecting on the new year, Antje van der Hoek discusses the importance of trust as the ‘invisible cement’ of society. She contrasts biblical perspectives on hope and repetition, ultimately suggesting that faith communities can help people draw from a spiritual source of trust during times of political and social instability.

Unitarian Universalists in Minneapolis are responding with protests and mutual aid following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, by an ICE agent. Local ministers emphasize the moral compulsion to protect neighbors and provide support amidst heavy federal police presence and community upheaval.

Professor Ulrich Schmiedel will deliver a lecture in Utrecht on how liberal theology and religion influence the discourse surrounding European borders and migration ethics. The event includes a study afternoon featuring theologians and activists to discuss the role of public theology in the current migration crisis.

The Hungarian Unitarian Church held celebrations in Torda and Kolozsvár to mark the 458th anniversary of the Edict of Torda, the first law to establish religious freedom. The events included ecumenical messages, the presentation of the János Zsigmond Award to Mihály Balázs, and the announcement of 2026 as a special memorial year.

Haxhi Dede Baba Edmond Brahimaj, the World Leader of the Bektashi, was elected as the Chairman of the Presidency Board of the Interreligious Council of Albania for 2026. During the council’s first meeting of the year, members approved a 2026-2028 strategic plan focused on strengthening interfaith dialogue, promoting peaceful coexistence, and increasing the social involvement of youth and women.

This NAUA Academy session from December 2025 features a presentation by Joyce Francis regarding the growing demographic of ‘Nones’—individuals who do not identify with any specific religion. The discussion focuses on whether this social shift acts as a challenge or an opportunity for Unitarian communities, examining new congregational models and evaluating if traditional Unitarian activities still resonate with the religiously unaffiliated.

Following two massive typhoons, including Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), that devastated the Philippines in early November, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines (UUCP) is leading recovery efforts for the worst natural disaster in its nearly 70-year history. Eleven UU congregations and scores of families, particularly on Negros Island, were severely impacted. The UUCP, whose members are mostly farmers and fisher folk, received emergency grants totaling $20,000 from the UUA and UUSC for immediate food and water relief. The article emphasizes the need for ongoing donations to rebuild damaged homes and churches, restore livelihoods, and support community education on climate change resilience.

The IARF is launching a new, global online “Free Religion Institute” offering lectures on inter-religious and worldview dialogue from various spiritual and expert perspectives. Prof. George Williams, IARF International Board Chair and a Hindu specialist, will coordinate the program and host a free, open Zoom session on June 10 (8 PM European time), duplicated for different time zones. Vrijzinnigen Nederland’s board has tentatively approved a subsidy for the institute, reinforcing its connection to IARF’s international platform. This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards fostering mutual respect, tolerance, and global cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges, encouraging members to actively participate in the institute’s courses or the upcoming IARF conference in Offenbach. More information is available on iarf.net or via [email protected] for the Dutch member group.

The IARF (International Association for Religious Freedom) EME Conference 2025, themed “Limits of Religious Freedom and Tolerance,” will take place from September 11-14 in Offenbach and Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Prompted by current global challenges, the conference will explore freedom of thought, conscience, and worldview from diverse liberal perspectives, emphasizing international dialogue for support and problem-solving. The event, which is hybrid (online and in-person), also celebrates the 180th anniversaries of the host communities and IARF’s 125th year. A pre-conference tour of German frei-reigiöse groups is scheduled for September 9-11. All are invited, including young people, to engage in interfaith exchange and experience unity in diversity. Further details and registration are available at iarf.net.

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (GA) commends the passage of the ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’ through the House of Commons, now proceeding to the House of Lords. This advancement aligns with the GA’s 2013 motion in favor of assisted dying for terminally ill patients, reflecting Unitarian values of inherent worth, dignity, and freedom of conscience. The GA hopes these principles will guide the Bill’s implementation and ensure that individuals facing intolerable physical conditions have the right to seek a painless and dignified end to their lives.

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.

The Interfaith Alliance has condemned a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that allows Louisiana to enforce a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, the organization’s president, stated that the law violates the First Amendment and constitutes government-imposed religious indoctrination. The Alliance, along with 20 other religious organizations, continues to advocate for the separation of church and state.

This article analyzes a new Israeli legislative proposal, the Bill for the Realization of Jewish Identity in Public Space. The bill aims to protect religious practices like wearing tefillin in public and mandates mezuzahs in public buildings. However, it raises significant concerns regarding the balance between freedom of religion and freedom from religion, as critics view it as an attempt to impose Orthodox values on the secular public and alter the long-standing status quo of religious-state relations.

The Niger State Concerned Christian Advocates coalition has rejected Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s plan to establish a Hisbah Commission, a religious enforcement body. The group argues that the move violates Nigeria’s secular constitution, which prohibits a state religion, and threatens religious freedom. They expressed concerns that such a commission would heighten religious tensions, marginalize minorities, and discourage investment in the state, urging the government to adopt inclusive security strategies instead.

Human rights organizations report a sharp increase in the persecution of religious minorities in Iran, with Christian arrests nearly doubling in 2025. Experts suggest the regime is scapegoating Christians, Baha’is, and ethnic minorities to deflect from domestic unrest and recent military humiliations.

The Freedom of Thought Report is a global survey published by Humanists International that monitors discrimination and persecution against humanists, atheists, and the non-religious. The website provides country-specific ratings, interactive maps, and a comprehensive database of legal and social conditions for the non-religious worldwide.

The Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) claims that mandatory religious observance in Scottish schools violates children’s human rights. An audit of 280 schools found that most sessions involve Christian worship led by clergy, despite the majority of pupils having no religious belief. HSS is urging the Scottish Government to allow pupils to opt out of these activities to avoid potential legal action.

New legislative initiatives in the Russian State Duma seek to ban religious services and ceremonies in residential buildings. While aimed at restricting Muslim migrants, the laws would significantly impact Protestant groups and other minority faiths that rely on home-based worship. Religious leaders and human rights organizations argue the bill is unconstitutional and would drive religious activities underground.

Antisemitism incidents in the UK reached record daily highs following a fatal terror attack on a Manchester synagogue in October 2025. The Community Security Trust (CST) reported 3,700 incidents throughout the year, marking a 4% increase from 2024. The data highlights a persistent rise in anti-Jewish hate, including a record number of incidents involving property damage and desecration.

The French Ministry of the Interior reported 2,489 anti-religious acts in 2025, a level stable compared to the previous year. Antisemitic acts remain disproportionately high, accounting for over half of all incidents, while anti-Muslim acts saw a 88% spike. The data reflects a context of heightened tensions following the October 7 attacks in Israel.

Rector Chems-Eddine Hafiz of the Grand Mosque of Paris has introduced a new guide and the “Paris Charter” to prove that Islamic values are fully compatible with French laws. The publication serves as a “roadmap” for both Muslims and non-Muslims to navigate religious practices in secular contexts. Hafiz expressed a commitment to open dialogue on sensitive topics like blasphemy and the veil to help repair the fractured social fabric and emphasize national belonging.

A coalition of multi-faith organizations has filed a lawsuit against the Trump-Vance administration’s Religious Liberty Commission, alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The lawsuit claims the commission lacks religious diversity, consists almost exclusively of Christian members, and promotes a narrow ‘Judeo-Christian’ agenda consistent with Christian Nationalism. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to declare the commission’s formation unlawful and require public disclosure of its records.

The Cato Institute announced the release of a new book edited by Mustafa Akyol titled ‘No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions.’ The volume features essays from global Muslim scholars arguing that religious freedom is an authentic Islamic ideal rooted in the Qur’an rather than a Western import. The book challenges coercive legal traditions regarding apostasy, blasphemy, and ritual observance, arguing that such interpretations often serve authoritarian political power rather than faith.