New Insights on Common Religious Freedom Conflicts

New Insights on Common Religious Freedom Conflicts – Faith & Freedom News

Quality research forms the backbone of effective religious freedom advocacy. The International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) continues this mission through its peer-reviewed International Journal for Religious Freedom, published twice yearly. The latest issue tackles practical challenges that religious freedom advocates encounter worldwide, offering expert guidance on issues that have emerged across multiple nations.

The Danger of Vague Hate Speech Laws

By Elizabeth Brink

Examining South Africa’s hate speech provisions that took effect two years ago, Brink highlights a critical issue: the prohibitions are notably vague. Hate is not clearly defined, and complaints can be filed regardless of the speaker’s intent. When hate speech is defined by the offended person’s perception, subjectivity opens the door for virtually anyone making controversial statements to face legal risk. Given that religious believers have frequently been targeted by hate speech laws in Europe and blasphemy laws in Asia, clearly formulated legislation is essential to protect both human rights and freedom of expression.

Religious Practice vs. Noise Concerns

By Helena van Coller

Van Coller addresses a sensitive balancing act: religious rights versus residents’ freedom from noise nuisances. Christian church bells and Muslim calls to prayer may be considered unwanted noise by some neighbors. South African case law prohibits property use that causes “material interference” with neighbors’ enjoyment, but what constitutes such interference? Time of day, frequency, and decibel levels all factor into the equation. While encouraging religious groups to respect neighbors’ concerns, Van Coller emphasizes that religious freedom loses meaning if it cannot protect typical worship practices.

The Myth of Secular Neutrality

By Christo Lombaard, University of Latvia

Lombaard probes how atheism and secularist views are treated in law, policy, and society. Commonly, secular or non-religious positions are treated as neutral, but in reality they embody a particular negative perspective on religion. She argues colorfully that attempting to make law and public policy “religion-free” is no more productive than a “sugar-free” sweetener that proves more unhealthy than sugar. True neutrality requires recognizing that secular perspectives are not absence of belief, but beliefs themselves.

Toward a Comprehensive Religious Freedom Index

By Christof Sauer, IIRF Co-founder

Sauer tackles the challenge of creating an index that would simply but fairly summarize threats against religious freedom in any given country. Applying the Religion and State dataset to 10 countries, he works toward filling a crucial gap. Currently, the Open Doors annual ranking dominates attention, but it focuses exclusively on where it’s hardest to be a Christian. The religious freedom community needs a widely recognized index that highlights restrictions across all faiths and includes countries that don’t make existing lists.

Illuminating Patterns Through Data

By IIRF Research Team

The final article describes how IIRF’s Violent Incidents Database illuminates patterns of religious freedom violations at country and sub-country levels. With over 15,000 incidents entered as of late 2024, this comprehensive database provides invaluable insights for advocates working to address violations on the ground. The database represents a powerful tool for identifying trends, targeting interventions, and holding violators accountable.

“Religious freedom advocates encounter all kinds of challenges as they try to address practical problems. Many of the issues they confront have happened elsewhere, and much guidance from well-known experts can be found in the pages of International Journal for Religious Freedom.”

Read the Full Issue