International Religious Freedom Advocacy:Peril and Promise

Allen D. Hertzke

University of Oklahoma

October 23, 2012Washington DC

• Religious freedom matters but is imperiled

• As empirical value of religious freedom becomes manifest, violations are widespread and increasing

• Unprecedented documentary record and unique capacity to test timeless propositions

Paradox of Religious Freedom Advocacy

Article 18, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948

Article 18: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”

• But Would it pass today?

• Religious Freedom contributes to political rights, civil liberties, women’s status, economic development, societal peace, and regional stability. Grim and Finke, The Price of Freedom Denied

• Crucial underpinning to democratic sustainability Alfred Stepan “Twin tolerations”

• Repressing religion ignites international strifeGod’s Century” - Toft, Philpott, Shah

• Justice demands it. Violations disrupt the social order.

Empirical Validation of Timeless Quest

Correlation of Religious Freedom with Other Freedoms and Well-being within Countries

• 75% of world’s people live in countries with high restrictions on religion [Pew Forum, 2012]

• Believers face discrimination, intimidation, harassment, arrest, torture, death

• Communities face onerous registration rules, obstacles to formation of ministries and schools, property destruction, mob violence

• Undermines progress for democracy and freedom [Freedom House, 2011]

Status of Global Religion

Religious Freedom

Broader ReligiousParticipation

Positive Contributions of

Religion to Society

Social Restrictionof Religious Freedom

Violencerelated to Religion

Governmental Restrictionof Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom CycleReligious Violence Cycle

Empirical Model:Interaction of Social Forces and Government Laws

Price of Freedom Denied, Grim & Finke, 2011

Diverging Paths

Government Restriction

Index

Social Hostilities

IndexSaudi Arabia 8.4 6.8Qatar 3.9 <1

Crucible of the 21st Century

• Living with our differences in a shrinking world

• We get this right or the century will be bleak

• Historic convergence of events on the ground and empirical evidence creates strategic opportunity

Advancing Religious Freedom

• Must be a priority of democracy-loving peoples -- Tony Blair

• But what are the different models of advocacy?• How do distinct approaches flow from different

disciplines, visions, or religions?• What practical challenges do advocates face?• What strategies do they employ to meet them?

Highlights of Fall Issue

• Provide models, lessons, Inspiration

• Illustrate debates, challenges, and strategies

• Feature heroes of conscience

Broader Quest

• Develop Model Curricula • Build the intellectual infrastructure to sustain

religious freedom advocacy• Launch new interdisciplinary field to socialize

and train next generation of leaders• Buoy the work of Heroes of Conscience

Thanks to the Institute for Global Engagement and John Templeton Foundation for this RFIA initiative

Promise in the Fellowship of Religious Freedom Advocacy

• In an era of partisan rancor and small bore politics…

• Multi-faith, nonpartisan, and transnational alliances and networks – people in this room

• One of the unheralded stories of our time

We few, we happy few, we band of sisters and

brothers…

Fellowship of Religious Freedom

Signing ceremony ending Oregon’s 1923 KKK-backed law against religious attire in public schools, April 1, 2010.