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Religious Freedom

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Freedom of religion or belief is viewed by the international community as a basic human right, yet its manifestations vary greatly from society to society. These resources examine and debate the contours of religious freedom; the evolution of international religious freedom policy; and the relationship between religious liberty and democracy, politics, and social and economic development.

Our Experts

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Judd Birdsall

Senior Fellow
Department of Theology and Religious Studies

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David Hollenbach

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Theology and Religious Studies

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Michael Kessler

Executive Director
Department of Government and Georgetown Law

Project Spotlight Program

Religious Freedom Project

Religious Freedom Project

The Religious Freedom Project (RFP, 2011-2016) at Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs was the nation's only university-based program devoted exclusively to the analysis of religious freedom.

Current and Past Projects

Hebrew Writing

Historical Origins of Religious Freedom

An adequate understanding of the contemporary significance of religious freedom requires a grasp of its history and institutionalization over time. While the idea of religious freedom grows out of the Classical and Judeo-Christian traditions, it…
Under Caesar's Sword

Under Caesar's Sword

In collaboration with the Center for Civil and Human Rights at the University of Notre Dame, the Religious Freedom Research Project has engaged in a three-year global research project that investigated how Christian communities respond when their religious freedom is severely violated.

Religious Freedom A-Z Subtopics

Narrow your search for Religious Freedom content by selecting from this list of subtopics

Videos

February 2, 2024

American Zion: A New History of Mormonism (Video)

Duration: 55 minutes

January 29, 2024

Tolerance and Respect: Educational Paths in Indonesia (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 2 minutes

November 6, 2023

“Writing Saved Me”: A Journalist’s Experience as a Stateless Refugee (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 22 minutes

Publications

Policy Brief November 20, 2023

Diplomacy, Geopolitics, and Global Orthodox Christianity in the Twenty-First Century

Authored by Elizabeth Prodromou, this Transatlantic Policy Network on Religion and Diplomacy policy brief analyzes the historical significance and current presence of Orthodox Churches in locations of key competition between NATO and Russia and in the great power rivalries of the twenty-first century.
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