IARF: International Association for Religious Freedom

08/09/2026

Join us and gain access to: |Free Religion Institute — theological courses, webinars & dialogue programs (Buddhism & Free Religion, Bektashi spirituality, Free Religion history & evolution) | Global network — member organisations across Europe, Asia & the Americas | Interfaith encounters — World Congresses, study tours, regional conferences | Human rights education — UN advocacy training, youth empowerment programs | IARF Network — private digital platform to connect, share projects & learn together

Whether you're a scholar, activist, clergy, or simply seeking deeper spiritual exploration across traditions — this is your intellectual and spiritual home.

Become a member today: iarf.net

07/09/2026

Martin Luther King Jr. : "Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood."

05/09/2026

05/09/2026

Discover Kanenuiakea: The Ancient Indigenous Religion of Hawai'i Nei

For over 2,000 years, Kanenuiakea has been the living, breathing spiritual practice of the Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians). This isn't a religion you join—it's one you're born into through 'ohana (family/community) or hanai (adoption).

Key facts: • Pre-dates Tahitian arrival (10th century CE) by centuries • Continuous practice since first arrivals from Marquesas (1st-8th century CE) • Sacred language: Hawaiian • Vegetarian offerings only—no blood sacrifice • Over 30 preserved heiau (temples) & ahu (altars) on Waianae coast alone • Went underground (huna) due to persecution after 1819 overthrow • Outlawed as "sorcery" until 1971

Kanenuiakea worships Kane (creator) through natural manifestations. Rituals blend strict memorisation with spontaneous devotion. The priesthood is passed down through special adoption and training.

Despite US Supreme Court rulings on Crown Lands, many sacred sites remain occupied by military, government, and corporate entities—with limited or denied access for Hawaiian worshippers.

Free Resource for IARF Members!
Former IARF President Prof. George M. Williams has generously donated his book on Kanenuiakea.
Click the link to download your copy and explore the rich faith, history, and spiritual practices of this Hawaiian tradition: https://iarf.net/library/item/kanenuiakea/?lang=en

“Aloha recognizes the sharing of life-giving breath, well-being, love, support, and compassion with others. It is the joyful (oha) sharing (alo) of life (hā) in this present moment (alo).”
(Prof. George M. Williams “Kanenuiakea” p. 19)

Learn more: https://kanenuiakea.org/

04/09/2026

Preparations Underway for the 37th IARF Congress!

IARF President Robert Ince is visiting North Macedonia and Albania this week to meet with our Bektashi partners as we prepare for the 37th IARF World Congress, hosted by the Bektashi community in Albania.

Save the Date: 6–13 September 2027

This historic gathering will bring together religious freedom advocates, interfaith leaders, and scholars from around the world. The Bektashi community's hospitality in Albania promises to make this a truly memorable congress!

Stay tuned for more updates as preparations continue. 🕊️

03/09/2026

Join a Global Movement for Religious Freedom!

For over 125 years, the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) has united free and liberal religious communities worldwide in the pursuit of human rights, interfaith understanding, and freedom of belief.

As an individual member, you'll: | Connect with a global network of like-minded individuals | Support advocacy at the United Nations for religious freedom | Access the Free Religion Institute — free theological research, educational programs & dialogue initiatives | Access the IARF Network — a private digital community for collaboration | Participate in World Congresses, conferences & educational programs | Receive the IARF News Digest & updates on human rights initiatives | Stand with communities defending Indigenous rights, minority faiths & LGBTQ+ inclusion |

Founded in 1900 • UN ECOSOC Consultative Status • Active in Europe, Asia & the Americas
Become a member today: https://iarf.net/support-us/become-a-member/

01/09/2026

25 Years of Meeting, Listening & Sharing

For a quarter-century, the Interfaith Encounter Association has been building bridges between Jews, Muslims, Christians and others across the Holy Land — not through politics, but through genuine human encounter.

When people meet, listen and share — prejudice becomes friendship.

25 years. 138 groups. 6,000+ encounters. 20,000+ lives connected.

And we are just getting started.

Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone at a special 25th Anniversary Celebration Event

Jerusalem International YMCA |September 7, 2026

Come meet, listen and share — and celebrate the power of encounter to transform prejudice into friendship.

31/08/2026

Unitarian Universalism in Latin America: A Growing Liberal Faith Movement

Did you know UU has roots across Latin America? Here's the story:
History: In January 2005, delegates from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Chile, and Puerto Rico gathered in San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Argentina to form AUULA (Alianza Unitaria Universalista Latinoamericana) — the Latin American UU Association. Many discovered UUism online and built communities from scratch.

Present Day Communities:

🇲🇽 Mexico — UU Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende (since 1987, English-speaking expat community)

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico — UUs of Puerto Rico (bilingual Spanish/English, lay-led, LGBTQ-affirming)

🇧🇷 Brazil — UU Congregation of the Splendid Cradle (Portuguese, online + in-person; auubra.org) + Associação Unitarista Brasileira (founded 1935!)

🇦🇷 Argentina — Emerging fellowship in Tierra del Fuego (world's southernmost UU group!)

🇧🇴 Bolivia — Unitaria Universalista Boliviana in La Paz (ICUU emerging group since 2009)

🇨🇺 Cuba — Two recognized groups (~120 members total), recognized by ICUU since early 2000s

Slow but steady growth, primarily lay-led, bilingual/bicultural, connected via ICUU (International Council of Unitarians and Universalists), focused on liberal religious values, social justice, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

From the Andes to the Caribbean to the Amazon — liberal religion is putting down roots in Spanish & Portuguese!

Libres para creer, unidos para amar / Free to believe, united to love

28/08/2026

Stories under a Tent – Join us in Frankfurt!

30 August – 4 September 2026 | Paulskirche, Frankfurt am Main – the birthplace of German democracy.

Under the motto “Geschichten unter einem Zelt” (Stories under a Tent), the event brings together people from diverse religious and cultural traditions for a week of dialogue, music, worship, storytelling and public encounter – with a Moroccan dialogue tent and an open-air stage.

IARF is proud to be an international partner, alongside Beyond - European Network for Religious Progressives and many others.

Hybrid – On-site in Frankfurt & Live on YouTube | in German language

IARF is one of the international partners. A substantial part of the public programme will be live-streamed on YouTube. All times are Frankfurt time (CEST / UTC+2). Full programme with YouTube links here: https://iarf.net/events/event/geschichten-unter-einem-zelt/

More information: www.unter-einem-zelt.de

27/08/2026

Did you know Thomas Jefferson created his own version of the New Testament?

Around 1820, Jefferson literally took a razor and glue and cut and pasted verses from the four Gospels (in Greek, Latin, French and English) to create The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth — now known as the Jefferson Bible.

He removed miracles and supernatural claims to focus solely on Jesus as a moral teacher and his ethical philosophy.

It wasn't published for public use, but as a private reflection on what he considered the most authentic moral teachings of Jesus.

A fascinating piece of American history where faith, reason, and Enlightenment thinking meet.

Have you ever seen a copy? What do you think about Jefferson's approach?