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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

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.

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Religious Freedom A-Z Subtopics

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Videos

November 26, 2024

The New Governance of Religious Diversity

Duration: 57 minutes

October 22, 2024

Contributions of Other Religions to Human Rights Discourse

Duration: 1 hours 14 minutes

October 22, 2024

Internal Debates Among Contemporary Churches about Religious Freedom and Human Rights

Duration: 1 hours 19 minutes

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Events

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Publications

Article March 12, 2025

Jesuit Higher Education & American Democracy

In this In Fides article for the spring 2025 edition Berkley Center Director Thomas Banchoff considers: How should Jesuit colleges and universities contribute to American democracy?

Other Publications

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