The article reports on a legal dispute between Hamburg’s Orthodox-dominated Jewish Community (JGH) and the smaller Liberal Jewish Community (LGH), also known as the Israelite Temple Association. The LGH won an interim victory, with the regional court affirming its right to use the historical name, concluding that claims of legal succession to pre-war Judaism are matters of opinion, not fact. This decision challenges the JGH’s claim to a monopoly on representing Hamburg’s Jewish heritage. The Temple Association seeks official recognition as a public corporation and demands the restitution and restoration of the historic Poolstrasse Synagogue ruin, the birthplace of Reform Judaism.

Following an ecumenical conference in Helsinki (December 2025), the Conference of European Churches (CEC) released a statement titled “Churches Confront the ‘Russian World’ Ideology.” The statement delivers a strong theological critique, labeling the ideology a distortion of the Gospel that denies national identity and self-determination, and condemns the Russian Orthodox Church’s institutional support for the war in Ukraine. It urges European churches to take specific actions, including supporting Ukrainian resistance, safeguarding democracy, promoting theological literacy to recognize misuse of religious language, and fostering truth-and-reconciliation dialogue.

The article critically analyzes “Café Stay,” owned by the controversial Zeal Church, a free church with origins in the International Christian Fellowship (ICF). The author notes the charismatic appeal of such churches to people seeking community amidst crises, but highlights the dangers: leader René Wagner’s aggressive sermons promote conservative views on sex, gender, and family, equating Christianity with specific lifestyle choices. Ex-members report traumatic experiences, including prayers to “heal” their queerness, and ICF events feature advocates of “conversion therapies.” The Zeal Church, while welcoming queer individuals to services, prohibits them from leadership roles and refuses to officiate same-sex weddings, framing their lifestyle as contrary to “God’s plan.” The café’s ostensibly open and unpolitical facade is described as a deliberate strategy to normalize ideologies that would otherwise meet resistance. Physical attacks on the café are interpreted as a reaction against this hidden, restrictive order. The author concludes that the church’s outwardly harmonious presentation conceals an exclusionary agenda, particularly regarding queer identities.

The European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield convened on September 21 to address Russia’s interference via Orthodox clergy, which aims to destabilize EU candidate countries. Experts Prof. Thorniké Gordadze and Prof. Lucian Leustean presented findings on Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. MEP Nathalie Loiseau cited Moldovan President Maia Sandu, highlighting Russia’s ongoing efforts to create divisions. Ahead of Moldova’s September 28 elections, authorities detained dozens linked to an alleged Russia-backed destabilization plot. Loiseau noted Russian propaganda falsely claiming the EU would destroy Orthodox churches if Moldova joined, and pointed to luxury trips for Moldovan priests to Moscow, allegedly to influence an EU membership referendum.

MEPs voiced strong concerns: Tomas Zdechovsky (Czechia) highlighted Russian Orthodox Church interference in his country, attributing it to the FSB/GRU, and stressed the need to stop this infiltration. Vasile Dincu (Romania) emphasized the high trust in Orthodox churches in Eastern countries, making them susceptible to Russian propaganda, noting Moldova’s main Orthodox Church is linked to Moscow. Helmut Brandstätter (Austria) questioned acceptance of Russia’s “Holy War” concept and condemned the Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the re-education of Ukrainian children, suggesting investigations and deportations for clergy spying for Russia. Alexandra Geese (Germany) inquired about Ukraine’s creation of an autonomous Orthodox Church, ties between conservative American Evangelical and Orthodox churches, and the EU’s stance on the political role of Orthodox churches. A Bulgarian MEP defended the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, alleging persecution by the Ukrainian government.

CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide) criticized Türkiye at the HRC60 for dismissing recommendations on religious freedom, specifically regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s legal personality, reopening Halki Seminary, and allowing non-Muslim communities to elect their leaders. CSW noted a deterioration in freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for Alevi Muslims, Bahai’s, and Christians, citing societal hostilities, hate speech, and unpunished hate crimes. CSW also expressed concern over threats to freedom of expression, regretting Türkiye’s refusal to release individuals imprisoned for it. Agnostic content creator Diamond Tema fled to Albania after death threats and an arrest warrant under Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code for criticizing the Prophet Mohammed’s marriage to Aisha and political parties. CSW urged Türkiye to drop the charge and revise Article 216 to align with international standards.

The Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) will urge the US Supreme Court to overturn Colorado’s ban on anti-LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy” for youth under 18 in the *Chiles v Salazar* case. ADF represents counselor Kaley Chiles, who argues the 2019 ban infringes on her free speech, despite major medical groups discrediting conversion practices as harmful and ineffective, linking them to increased depression and suicide attempts. Crucially, two scholars, Clifford Rosky and Dr. Lisa Diamond, whose research ADF cited to support its arguments, accuse the group of “profoundly” misrepresenting their work. Rosky, an advocate for conversion therapy bans, states his research (co-authored with Diamond) explicitly condemns conversion therapy as “psychologically damaging” and ineffective. Diamond clarified that ADF conflated natural sexual fluidity with forced repression, emphasizing the harm from shame and fear inherent in conversion therapy. Both scholars have filed a brief to correct these mischaracterizations. Similarly, the family of deceased researcher Nicholas Cummings, another ADF citation, expressed deep disturbance over the “distortion” of his work, asserting he condemned all forms of conversion therapy. ADF also cited a paper by Rev D Paul Sullins, claiming conversion therapy doesn’t increase suicide, which was contradicted by the Williams Institute at UCLA, whose data Sullins used, with the Institute’s researchers deeming Sullins’ conclusions “invalid.” ADF, which also relied on anonymous online posts, maintains its quotations are “accurate” and that Chiles seeks “voluntary conversations,” arguing there’s “no proof” of harm. Rosky, however, underscored the severe public health threat, citing research that 44% to 63% of youth undergoing conversion therapy attempt suicide. Given the Supreme Court’s conservative majority and recent rulings against LGBTQ+ rights, advocates fear a victory for Chiles could have “catastrophic” and far-reaching consequences, eroding protections for transgender and queer youth nationwide.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of the Philippines voiced severe concern over “Operation Supak” in Maguindanao del Sur, where local officials allegedly targeted LGBTQIA persons, forcing same-sex adult couples to separate, citing conflicts with Islamic law. The CHR emphasized that these acts violate constitutional rights, dignity, and privacy, noting that the Philippines is a secular state where religious freedom cannot justify discrimination. The CHR has initiated an investigation and called for inter-agency action to protect the LGBTQIA community.

The European Parliament passed an unprecedented urgency resolution strongly condemning the Iranian government’s 45 years of “systematic persecution” against the Bahá’í community. The resolution, passed overwhelmingly by 549 MEPs, denounced arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, property confiscation, and exclusion from education/employment, citing a 1991 memorandum codifying these discriminatory policies. The Parliament demanded the immediate release of Bahá’ís imprisoned for their beliefs, the reversal of wrongful convictions, and urged EU institutions to impose sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for the persecution.

The Moscow City Court overturned the 8-year sentence given to Moscow Buddhist leader Ilya Vasilyev for an anti-war Facebook post, citing a violation of his right to a defense, though he remains detained pending a retrial. Meanwhile, the Moscow Regional Court upheld the 4-year jail term for Protestant pastor Nikolay Romanyuk, convicted for an anti-war sermon on religious grounds, confirming his transfer to a prison colony.

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.