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.

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.

Poland’s justice ministry is proposing to eliminate prison time for blasphemy convictions to comply with a European Court of Human Rights ruling. Although the crime of “offending religious feelings” would remain, the maximum two-year jail term would be removed in favor of fines or community service. The proposal faces significant political hurdles, including potential vetoes from the conservative president and criticism from both legal scholars and religious groups.

The 1905 law on the separation of Church and State marks its 120th anniversary. This foundational text established the principle of secularism in France, particularly in schools, after years of tension. While initially contested by the Catholic Church, it remains a pillar of the Republic, ensuring that religious matters belong to the private sphere.

This comprehensive report explores the friction between religious doctrines and secular democratic values in the Dutch education system. Findings include school leaders expressing theocratic ideals, teaching materials that describe women as submissive to men, and the use of textbooks containing anti-Semitic tropes or rejecting scientific evolution. Legal experts and theologians discuss how Article 23 of the Constitution creates a space where schools can teach contradictory sets of values, leaving students to navigate complex ideological landscapes.

This report discusses the mental health impact on students in Reformed and Islamic schools where homosexual relationships are rejected. Despite teaching a general sense of respect, the practical rejection of same-sex relationships by these institutions creates a difficult environment for LGBTQ+ youth, potentially leading to psychological distress.

The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) has condemned a Pakistani court’s decision to sentence an Ahmadi Muslim, Mubarak Ahmad Saani, to life imprisonment for blasphemy. In a landmark and controversial move, the court used Saani’s memorization of the Quran and his use of the religious title “Hafiz” as evidence of “posing as a Muslim.” The IHRC describes this as a grave escalation of religious persecution that violates both the Pakistani Constitution and international law.

This article examines the criminal investigation and detention of cartoonists from the Turkish magazine Leman over a caricature featuring names associated with religious prophets. The author argues that the Turkish government’s actions constitute a clear violation of freedom of speech, as the cartoon’s context suggests a call for peace rather than a gratuitous insult to religious values, failing to meet international human rights standards for restriction.

During a legal session in Madrid, Professor Javier Martínez-Torrón discussed the uneven application of religious cooperation in Spain. He noted that while the constitution requires neutrality, the state has stalled in signing new agreements with minority religious groups, leading to disparities in funding, tax benefits, and the practical implementation of religious freedoms compared to the Catholic Church.