For many of the world's women, lack of religious freedom is just one of many human rights challenges they face. How to address these issues-and whether or not secularism advances the cause of women's religious liberty around the world-was the focus of dis
In his keynote address today to the 7th World Congress for Religious freedom, the leader of the 17-million- member Seventh-day Adventist Church challenged believers to grasp the opportunities for open discourse that a secular state preserves.
eports from four parts of the world-China, Russia, India and the Middle East-presented Wednesday night, April 25, showed how difficult it often is to state whether or not a country enjoys religious freedom.
Sonia Garcia, assistant director of the Office of Religious Affairs in Cuba, addressed more than 800 delegates at the 7th IRLA Religious World Congress tin Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Apr. 24, 2012.
amid the beautiful Caribbean sea, bright sunshine and service-oriented staff in a well-constructed and designed building are government officials, church leaders and religious liberty experts from as far away as Russia, Jordan, Spain, Zambia, Australia an
Whether it's involvement in local religious freedom issues or helping to change the situation for believers in Laos or Vietnam, the presence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private citizens is essential to the promotion and protection of reli
When Knox Thames, director of Policy and Research for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, stood to address World Congress attendees this morning, he held in his hand a piece of rubble from a Seventh-day Adventist church buildi
“Religious freedom is the most personal of our human rights.”This was a statement made early on in Attorney Knox Thames’ presentation this morning—the first presentation made during Day Two of the IRLA World Congress—and it has lingered with me throug
Almost 900 delegates from more than 60 countries gathered today for the inaugural session of the 7th World Congress for Religious Freedom in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Keynote speaker Dr Denton Lotz, former leader of some 47 million Baptists worldwid
Addressing nearly 900 delegates and guests at the Seventh World Congress of the International Religious Liberty Association, Denton Lotz, a noted Baptist minister and IRLA president, summarized the purpose of this three-day event: "We're here today becaus
Pastor Israel Leito, president of International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) for the Inter-American region, spoke today to more than 800 delegates on the definition of moderate secularism versus militant secularism.
Paulo Tort Ortega, director general of religious affairs in Mexico, spoke earlier today at the 7th World Congress, affirming his government's commitment to protecting the religious freedom rights of its citizens.