In the framework of a Summer Seminar on European Studies held in Amsterdam, Professor Evert Van de Poll led part of his class discussions using an article from the International Journal for Religious Freedom, entitled “Death by a thousand cuts” by Dennis Petri and Ronald Boyd-McMillan. One of his participants shared in a blog his impressions about this paper and its debate in class. You can read the publication here.
The contributions made by articles in the IJRF are characterized by their high academic quality, as they consistently strive to provide accurate and reliable information regarding the current state of religious freedom worldwide. These mentions pertaining to the analysis and discussion of the journal’s articles show the valuable role of the journal as a means of disseminating knowledge. The research and analysis presented in the journal underscore its pivotal role in shaping our understanding of this crucial aspect of human rights. By offering well-founded and up-to-date information, IJRF not only fosters a deeper awareness of the challenges and triumphs within the realm of religious freedom but also serves as an example of enlightenment in a complex and ever-evolving global landscape.
In the article “Death by a thousand cuts”, the authors systematized the main areas of concern related to secular intolerance, based on interviews conducted in the fall of 2018 with representatives of more than 20 faith-based organizations in Western Europe, concluding that although some Christian advocacy organizations exaggerate the intensity of secular intolerance in the West, the phenomenon is indeed widespread and getting worse. The article also discussed practical responses to secular intolerance in the fields of research, advocacy, religious literacy training and raising awareness within the church. Some of the trends categorized under secular intolerance are reversible, but most seem more difficult to reverse. You can find the full article here.
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