2024 Religious Freedom Annual Review
Becoming Peacemakers Through Supporting Religious Freedom and Pluralism
What does it mean to be a peacemaker in America today? How can one reconcile engagement in the political and public sphere with living a life of faith? Can religious freedom and pluralism form a basis for mutual co-existence and peace? Can they provide means of healing our divided country or do they simply fracture our communities more? How can we stand up for principles and rights we care about while remaining peaceable? Pundits, scholars, religious leaders, and others from a variety of religious traditions take on these and similar questions at this year’s Religious Freedom Annual Review.
Watch the sessions on YouTube or scroll down for individual sessions.
Photo Albums
Recordings
The Religious Freedom Annual Review featured general sessions and three breakout tracks.
Practical Peacemakers Breakout Track
These sessions provided everyday examples of efforts to promote peace and more civil discussions. Presenters introduced practical approaches to help build a more pluralistic and peaceful society. Participants learned how to “disagree better” in the home, communities, and political life.
Rising Generation Breakout Track
This set of breakouts focused on initiatives that help members of the rising generation explore peacemaking through religious pluralism and freedom. Conference attendees heard from civil society, religious, and educational groups that are innovating ways to increase interreligious understanding through educational curricula and dialogue. One of the sessions included students from BYU and Fuller Theological Seminary talking about their efforts to build peace and understanding through a series of interfaith dialogues. Others discussed practical materials being put together by groups such Braver Angels, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Southern Virginia University.
Continuing Legal Education Breakout Track:
Six credit hours for Continuing Legal Education were approved for a series of breakouts that focused on legal developments in the area of religious freedom. Leading experts in First Amendment law discussed recent cases in state and federal courts and assessed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act at 30 years. One Civility credit was approved for a discussion of a new dignity index that attempts to track speech in a non-partisan way. This Dignity Index rates how contemptuous or respectful of dignity language is and offers approaches that can improve civil discourse.
Watch the sessions on YouTube or scroll down for individual sessions.