Monthly Archives: October 2025

Join us for a discussion exploring the possibilities and challenges of AI for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) at the UK Parliament on 28th October 2025 from 6:30-7:30pm.

Presentations from business experts and FoRB practitioners involved with AI initiatives will set the stage for a lively and informed discussion.

The event is organised by the APPG FoRB, The FoRB Foundation, Faith@Work UK, and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, which is an official stakeholder in APPG FoRB.

Those interested in participating can secure a spot by emailing the FoRB Foundation here.

How AI Can Promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB):

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds significant potential to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) by enhancing access to information, fostering interfaith dialogue, and identifying early signs of religious discrimination. AI-powered translation tools can break down language barriers, enabling people from diverse religious backgrounds to access sacred texts, teachings, and interfaith resources in their native languages. Social media algorithms, when responsibly designed, can amplify voices promoting religious tolerance and understanding, helping to counter misinformation and stereotypes. Additionally, AI can be used to analyze large datasets to detect patterns of religious persecution or discrimination, providing early warnings to human rights organizations and policymakers.

Moreover, AI can support religious communities in preserving and sharing their cultural heritage. Through digitization and machine learning, sacred texts, oral traditions, and historical artifacts can be archived and made accessible to future generations. AI-driven platforms can also facilitate respectful interreligious engagement by curating content that highlights shared values and fosters empathy. In educational settings, AI can personalize learning experiences that include diverse religious perspectives, promoting mutual respect and understanding from a young age. When developed and deployed ethically, AI can be a powerful ally in building inclusive societies that uphold the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

How AI Can Harm or Endanger Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB):

Despite its potential, AI also poses serious risks to FoRB if misused or poorly regulated. One major concern is the use of AI for surveillance and profiling, particularly by authoritarian regimes. Facial recognition and data-mining technologies can be employed to monitor religious gatherings, track individuals based on religious affiliation, and suppress dissent. Such practices can lead to targeted harassment, arrests, or even violence against religious minorities. Moreover, biased algorithms—trained on skewed or discriminatory data—can reinforce existing prejudices, leading to unfair treatment in areas like employment, law enforcement, or access to services.

AI-driven content moderation systems also risk inadvertently censoring religious expression. Automated filters may misinterpret religious language, symbols, or rituals as hate speech or misinformation, disproportionately silencing certain faith communities. Furthermore, the opaque nature of many AI systems makes it difficult to hold developers or institutions accountable for discriminatory outcomes. Without robust ethical frameworks, transparency, and inclusive design processes, AI could exacerbate religious intolerance and deepen societal divisions. Safeguarding FoRB in the age of AI requires vigilant oversight, inclusive policymaking, and a commitment to human rights at every stage of technological development.

Join the UK Faith@Work network for a fascinating discussion of brand new research into how spiritual values not only can inform and reinforce corporate values but also can transform society.

Get a sneak peek from Brian Grim PhD into the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s new comparative study on how spiritual values relate to the differing core values of the world’s most valuable companies in Europe, the U.S., Asia and China.

Also, Dilwar Hussain MBE will provide an overview of the findings of a new study — Virtues of Faith: Survey Findings — conducted by the Good Faith Partnership (GFP) in collaboration with the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham. The survey sought 500 quantitative responses from members of the public in the UK, of six distinct backgrounds: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Humanism / no religion.

When? Thursday, 9th October, 1pm UK (8am ET), via zoom. Register today!

A Safeguard Against Misuse of Religion

In today’s world — marked by war, political instability, and technological upheaval — religious freedom for all (including for those without a religion) is more vital than ever. It ensures that multiple moral voices can speak into complex issues, offering wisdom, compassion, and ethical guidance. It promotes peace by fostering mutual respect, and it drives prosperity by unlocking the full potential of every individual, regardless of belief.

Religious freedom is a foundational pillar of thriving societies. It allows individuals to live according to their deepest convictions while contributing to the common good. When protected, it fosters pluralism, encourages ethical leadership, and helps prevent the misuse of religion for political or ideological gain.

Ultimately, religious freedom is not just a human right — it is a strategic asset for building resilient and flourishing societies. Read more for global examples.

Author: Brian Grim

Interfaith America is launching RISE (Religious Inclusion, Skill-building & Engagement), an annual learning journey for corporate and health care partners seeking to advance a culture of religious inclusion at their institutions.

Benefits include quarterly Community of Practice meetings, curated digital resources, quarterly email digests, exclusive introduction to the 2026 Faith-Friendly Workplace “REDI” Index, and ongoing connections and conversations through the “Religious Inclusion & Collaboration in the Workplace” LinkedIn group. Organizational members also get access to exclusive trainings and strategy sessions with IA staff. Applications are open until Friday, October 3, and the launch date is October 16.

By Brian Grim

A Safeguard Against Misuse

Religious freedom for all (including for those without a religion) is a foundational pillar of thriving societies. It allows individuals to live according to their deepest convictions while contributing to the common good. When protected, it fosters pluralism, encourages ethical leadership, and helps prevent the misuse of religion for political or ideological gain.

Throughout history, nations that have upheld religious freedom have often experienced greater peace and prosperity. Consider these global examples:

• – The United States, founded on principles of religious liberty, became a magnet for immigrants seeking refuge from persecution. This diversity of faith traditions enriched American civic life and fueled innovation, entrepreneurship, and social reform. Religious freedom helped ensure that no single group could dominate the moral discourse, allowing for a vibrant marketplace of ideas.
• – Post-war Germany rebuilt its democratic institutions with strong protections for religious freedom, learning from the catastrophic consequences of religious and ethnic persecution under the Nazi regime. These protections have helped foster reconciliation, social cohesion, and a robust civil society.
• – India, despite its challenges, has long been home to a tapestry of religions. Its constitutional commitment to religious freedom has enabled interfaith dialogue and coexistence, even amid tensions. Where upheld, this freedom has supported democratic resilience and economic dynamism.
• – The Netherlands in the 17th century became a haven for religious refugees, including Jews, Huguenots, and dissenting Christians. This openness not only reduced sectarian conflict but also helped the Dutch Republic become a center of commerce, science, and intellectual exchange during its Golden Age.
• – South Korea, after decades of authoritarian rule, embraced democratic reforms in the late 20th century that included protections for religious freedom. Today, it is home to vibrant religious communities—Christian, Buddhist, and others—that contribute to civil society, education, and humanitarian work. Religious freedom has helped fuel South Korea’s rapid economic development and social innovation.
• – Botswana, one of Africa’s most stable democracies, has long upheld religious freedom as part of its inclusive governance model. This respect for diversity has contributed to peaceful coexistence among faith groups and supported the country’s steady economic growth and democratic resilience.
• – Singapore, despite its strict regulatory environment, has made religious harmony a national priority. Through interfaith councils and legal protections, it has cultivated a society where multiple religions coexist peacefully. This stability has been key to Singapore’s emergence as a global financial and cultural hub.
• – Brazil, with its constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, has seen faith-based organizations play a major role in addressing poverty, education, and healthcare. The country’s religious diversity—Catholic, Evangelical, Afro-Brazilian, and others—has enriched its cultural life and supported grassroots development.

By contrast, where religious freedom is denied, societies often suffer. Myanmar’s persecution of the Rohingya, China’s repression of Uyghur Muslims, and Iran’s restrictions on religious minorities illustrate how the suppression of religious liberty leads to human rights abuses, social unrest, and international condemnation.

Religious freedom also acts as a check against the hijacking of religion. In pluralistic societies, no single group can monopolize spiritual authority or use it to marginalize others. Open dialogue and accountability help preserve the integrity of religious traditions and prevent their exploitation for political gain.

In today’s world—marked by war, political instability, and technological upheaval—religious freedom is more vital than ever. It ensures that multiple moral voices can speak into complex issues, offering wisdom, compassion, and ethical guidance. It promotes peace by fostering mutual respect, and it drives prosperity by unlocking the full potential of every individual, regardless of belief.

Ultimately, religious freedom is not just a human right—it is a strategic asset for building inclusive, resilient, and flourishing societies.