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).

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti, which permits states to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth. UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt called the ruling “irreparably harm[ful]” and a “moral violation,” affirming the UUA’s faith-based commitment to embrace trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender-diverse individuals. She pledged continued advocacy for these communities. The decision, concerning a 2023 Tennessee law, prompted a special session and workshop at GA 2025 to address its implications for trans justice. This ruling carries widespread consequences, with many anti-trans bills passed or under consideration nationwide. Notably, UUs at GA 2024 overwhelmingly passed a Business Resolution prioritizing the protection of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people as a core religious value, leading to new UUA resources like a dedicated transgender support specialist. The UUA remains committed to fighting for these rights and affirming human dignity.

On June 15th, the North American Unitarian Association (NAUA) joined the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), marking a significant milestone that recognizes NAUA as part of the global community of liberal religious organizations. Founded in 1900, IARF is the world’s oldest interfaith organization, uniting members across five continents and over 20 countries, including Unitarians, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, and others who value open inquiry and justice. IARF engages in study, dialogue, and advocacy, holding consultative status at the United Nations to promote liberal religion and defend marginalized communities. Through this membership, NAUA members can participate in IARF programs and initiatives, with NAUA and IARF collaborating on interfaith educational programs and NAUA supporting IARF at the UN. This achievement was facilitated by NAUA’s International Alliances Committee and IARF President George Williams. Further details on collaboration will be shared via NAUA’s newsletter and website.

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) and multifaith groups have successfully challenged state laws in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas that mandated the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Federal courts in all three states have issued injunctions, ruling the laws unconstitutional as they violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which ensures separation of church and state. In Louisiana (Rev. Roake v. Brumley), a 2024 law requiring Protestant Ten Commandments was blocked, with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the injunction in June 2025, though Louisiana seeks a rehearing. Lead plaintiff Rev. Darcy Roake emphasized that religious education belongs at home. In Arkansas (Stinson v. Fayetteville School District No. 1), a June 2025 law was temporarily blocked by a federal judge, citing a religiously coercive environment. In Texas (Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District), a July lawsuit against a law effective September 1 also resulted in an injunction in August. Plaintiffs across these cases include Unitarian Universalists, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and nonreligious families, all represented by organizations like the ACLU. The issue is considered highly controversial and may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), with numerous religious organizations and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, joined an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold Colorado’s 2019 law banning conversion therapy for minors. The brief argues the law protects LGBTQ+ children from “dangerous, ineffective” practices without violating religious freedom or free speech. UUA Executive Vice President Carey McDonald stressed religious groups’ role in protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights and affirming human dignity. The case, challenged by the Alliance Defending Freedom, could impact similar bans nationwide.

Interfaith Alliance has denounced the ‘Greater Than’ campaign, an anti-LGBTQ+ initiative seeking to overturn marriage equality. Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush characterized the campaign as an attack on religious freedom and human dignity, asserting that a majority of religious Americans support the right to marry.

India’s Supreme Court has agreed to review the constitutional validity of anti-religious conversion laws enacted by 12 states. The petitioner, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), argued these laws incentivize vigilante violence against minorities. The Solicitor General, representing the Centre, stated the government has responses and contested the petitioner’s claims. The court referenced past judgments concerning Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to propagate religion, but not the right to convert others.

Russian police and military officers raided Council of Churches Baptists’ Sunday worship in Krasnodon on January 25th, threatening to stop all future services if the church does not register with Russian authorities. This is part of a pattern of raids on religious meetings (Baptist and Muslim) in Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk Regions between July and December 2025, often resulting in fines for “missionary activity.” Council of Churches Baptists intentionally avoid official registration. The article details specific raids, interrogations, and legal proceedings against pastors, highlighting the Russian occupation authorities’ severe violations of freedom of religion or belief, despite calls from the UN to respect these freedoms.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan initiated a reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church, seeking to remove Catholicos Garegin II and establish a state-led Coordinating Council. The government justifies this by accusing the Church leadership of involvement in politics, referencing the Church’s criticism of the government following the Nagorno-Karabakh defeat. The article argues this justification is legally untenable, as Armenian and international law permit religious institutions to engage in political discourse without violating the separation of Church and State principles. A secondary government narrative links some clergy to Russian intelligence (‘KGB agents’), which the author disputes given the Armenian Church’s unique, largely Western-educated, and historically independent ecclesiastical structure. Finally, the PM has publicly accused clergy of moral failings (adultery, violating celibacy), which the author contends fall under the Church’s internal, canonical jurisdiction, not the State’s purview, noting the suspicious timing of leaked private footage.

A couple in Indonesia’s Aceh province, the only region imposing Sharia law, was publicly caned 140 times each for having sex outside marriage and consuming alcohol. The woman fainted after enduring the punishment, which is considered one of the severest since Sharia was implemented in 2001. The punishment included 100 lashes for the sex offense and 40 for alcohol consumption. The couple was among six people flogged that day.

The Texas State Board of Education delayed voting on a proposed mandatory K-12 reading list due to widespread concern over its strong Christian religious focus and a lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Democrats and public speakers argued that emphasizing Christian texts like ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son’ conflicts with the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Critics also noted the list underrepresents Hispanic and Black students, despite forming the majority of Texas students, favoring classical literature and political addresses. Proponents, mostly Republicans, defended the religious texts as historically significant and emphasized the quality of classical literature over author demographics. The list, which will be mandatory if adopted, allows parents to opt out of instruction, though students might still be tested on the material.

Seventy individuals who gathered in St. Petersburg from across Russia to pray for the health of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were detained by Russian authorities, who labeled the organization a “radical sect.” The group, reportedly created in Ukraine and focused on spiritual development, also discussed the war and praised the Ukrainian armed forces. One leader is identified as Olga Dautova, a professor from the St. Petersburg Academy of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education. The prayer included specific requests for the protection of Zelensky, his team, and various Ukrainian regions.

A series of letters debating the legal status of male circumcision in the UK following a CPS document. Perspectives range from a rabbi calling for professional regulation to maintain tradition safely, to men who view the practice as nonconsensual mutilation and support its classification as child abuse.

The IRF Community, Africa Working Group, Jubilee Campaign and Coptic Solidarity have circulated a letter calling for the immediate release of Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, a Christian convert arbitrarily detained in Cairo since July 15, 2025. The letter highlights the stark contradiction between Egypt’s constitutional guarantee of absolute freedom of belief and the persecution faced by citizens who leave Islam. It documents Mr. Abdelrazek’s years of harassment, torture, and wrongful imprisonment, and urges Egypt to honor its constitutional and international commitments by ensuring his release, granting him access to basic rights while detained, and protecting freedom of belief for all Egyptians.

Controversial Dutch faith healer Tom de Wal was arrested in Tilburg for preaching without the necessary permit after his original venue in Eindhoven canceled his services. De Wal, the founder of the Frontrunners foundation, has been a subject of concern for years due to his claims of healing terminal illnesses and alleged attempts to ‘cure’ homosexuality. While his organization claims to work alongside medical professionals, critics argue his practices create manipulative personality cults that can endanger vulnerable followers.

The article discusses the cancellation of an art exhibition by George Gavriel in Cyprus due to political pressure and threats, analyzing it through the lens of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The author critiques the European Court of Human Rights for inconsistent jurisprudence regarding offensive religious art, noting that the court often grants states too much leeway to restrict expression based on ‘religious feelings.’ The author argues that institutional retreat in the face of political outrage creates a chilling effect on artistic freedom and democratic pluralism.

Belgium faces ongoing criticism for failing to reform its religious recognition system three years after a European Court of Human Rights ruling. The Court previously determined that Belgium’s opaque and ad hoc procedure for recognizing religious communities violates international standards of fairness and non-discrimination, particularly concerning tax exemptions for non-recognized groups.