Religious Education in the Crosshairs The first two weeks of the new school year are already behind us, and one might think that after the usual turbulent beginnings, which – as every year – abounded in numerous changes, everything would slowly start to settle into place. This time, however, things are different – mounting conflicts […]

Health education and religious freedom There is an ongoing debate in the Polish public sphere about a new, currently optional subject called "Health Education." Its creators announce that it is intended to introduce an "anthropological change" into school education. Among other things, this change involves a departure from the perspective known from the existing subject […]

Blasphemous Images from the Paris Olympics Opening. A Handful of Reflections On July 26, viewers around the globe witnessed the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris. Unfortunately, instead of a ceremony celebrating sporting competition and associated virtues such as perseverance in effort and systematic pursuit of goals, we received a spectacle fitting into […]

Faith Under Fire - 25 Years Since the Enactment of the US International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 This October marked the 25th anniversary of the United States Congress's enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). This law, a groundbreaking act for its time, made the protection and promotion of religious freedom […]

Solidarity with Believers in Spain - Threat to Catholics’ Religious Freedom On the evening of Friday, December 8, 2023, during the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—patroness of Spain—a manifesto was read before the Rosary prayer in over 50 Spanish Catholic churches. The manifesto expressed opposition to the drastically deteriorating situation […]

Statement by Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz on Catholic Magazines – Another Step Toward Discrimination Against People of Faith On March 14, a press briefing was held with the participation of Minister Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz1. The briefing concerned the recently published list of magazines that will receive funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. During the briefing, […]

Pilgrimage and Religious Freedom: Integration and Tensions Pilgrimage as a unique form of movement—both physical and spiritual—symbolizes a journey toward the source of values, order, the search for meaning, and the integration of a community in spiritual unity. In this sense, pilgrimages often unite local communities, strengthen social bonds, and constitute an affirmation of religious […]

Religious Freedom Lab in the Croatian Parliament: „Europe Sees a Rise in Hate Crimes Against People of Faith” Although it was expected that Europe would move in a unified direction regarding the protection and respect for religious freedom, it appears to be heading in a different, undesirable direction. This could be one of the conclusions […]

Religious Holidays and Ideological Neutrality Long before Christmas, long before Advent, and recently even before All Saints' Day celebrated on November 1st, holiday decorations referencing Christmas began appearing in many stores. They typically disappear quickly once the gift-buying season is over, thus revealing their commercial character, which we have probably already grown accustomed to and […]

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief On 22 August, the agendas of many countries and international organizations remind us of the victims of violence motivated by religion or belief. This day is observed as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion […]