Religion | Council on Foreign Relations

Religion

2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Workshop

The 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Workshop is part of the CFR Religion and Foreign Policy program. The goal of the workshop is to advance understanding of the forces shaping international relation…

Event with Gerald L. Durley, Elise Giuliano, Elise Giuliano, Galen Guengerich, Richard Haass , Lisa Sharon Harper, Daisy Khan, Daisy Khan, Charles A. Kupchan , Charles A. Kupchan , Rosalyn LaPier, Ruth W. Messinger, Yascha Mounk, Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Melissa Rogers, Melissa Rogers, Stephen Sestanovich , Stephen Sestanovich , Sunita Viswanath, Chloe Breyer, Felice D. Gaer, Felice D. Gaer, Reena Ninan, Reena Ninan, Simran Jeet Singh, Simran Jeet Singh, Mary Evelyn Tucker and Mary Evelyn Tucker May 17, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Workshop
Nigeria

Gruesome “Blasphemy” Killing Brings Nigeria’s Long-Running Ethno-Religious Divide Into Sharp Focus

The brutal murder of college sophomore evokes conflicting visions of citizenship and political identity in Nigeria.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare May 16, 2022 Africa in Transition
Religion

The Power of the Pope

For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 13, 2022 Why It Matters

United States

CFR Fellows' Book Launch Series With Yascha Mounk

A democracy has never succeeded in being both diverse and equal. Yet, treating members of many different ethnic or religious groups fairly is central to the democratic project in countries around the world. It is, Yascha Mounk argues, the greatest experiment of our time. In The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure, Mounk examines how diverse societies have long suffered from the ills of domination, fragmentation, or structured anarchy and shows that the past can offer crucial insights for how to do better in the future. The CFR Fellows’ Book Launch series highlights new books by CFR fellows. This meeting is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.

Virtual Event by Yascha Mounk and Richard Haass April 19, 2022 CFR Fellows' Book Launch
Elections and Voting

Religion and Voting Rights

Kelly Brown Douglas, dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary, and Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, discussed the history of the…

Webinar by Kelly Brown Douglas, Jonah Pesner and Shaun Casey April 14, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars
Religion

Religion and Conflict Resolution

Lisa Sharland, senior fellow and director of the Protecting Civilians in Conflict program at the Stimson Center, and Sukhsimranjit Singh, the Judge Danny Weinstein managing director of the Straus Ins…

Webinar by Lisa Sharland, Sukhsimranjit Singh and Irina A. Faskianos April 5, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars

Ukraine

Understanding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Thomas Graham, distinguished fellow at CFR, and Oxana Shevel, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, discuss what is happening in Ukraine, the religious component to this confl…

Webinar by Thomas Graham , Oxana Shevel and Irina A. Faskianos March 30, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars
Nigeria

Mummy G.O.: Nigeria’s Much-Derided Pentecostal Preacher Enunciates a Powerful Social Critique

Despite the mockery she receives, Pastor Mummy G.O. is an exception to the Nigerian Pentecostal norm as her strict theological model contrasts sharply with Pentecostalism’s current adhesion to the Prosperity Gospel.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare March 14, 2022 Africa in Transition
Religion

Refugee Resettlement and Faith Communities

Kelly A. Gauger, deputy director of refugee admissions at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Rick Santos, president and CEO of Church World Service, dis…

Webinar by Kelly A. Gauger, Rick Santos and Irina A. Faskianos March 1, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars
Nigeria

Ritual Killings in Nigeria Reflect Mounting Desperation for Wealth and Security Amid Creeping Collapse of Law and Order

The rising incidence of ritual killings in Nigeria reflects a weakening state control and Nigerians' desperate attempts to achieve economic stability.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare February 14, 2022 Africa in Transition
Ghana

Behind Africans’ Thirst for Prophecy; Confusion About the Present and Anxiety About the Future

Across West Africa, Pentecostal pastors hold huge public sway. Their influence is a reflection of deepening distrust of the secular state and its ability to fulfill citizens' demands.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare February 3, 2022 Africa in Transition
LGBTQ+

Global LGBTQ+ Rights

Michael Vazquez, independent policy advisor, discusses LGBTQ+ rights around the world and the Biden administration’s efforts to promote and defend these rights at home and abroad. Learn more about…

Webinar by Michael Vazquez and Irina A. Faskianos February 2, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars
Religion

The Future of U.S.-Middle East Relations

Vali R. Nasr, the Majid Khadduri professor of Middle East studies and international affairs at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Affairs, discusses the prospects and consequ…

Webinar by Vali R. Nasr and Irina A. Faskianos January 20, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars
Israel

Israel, Iran, and the Archbishop of Canterbury

In recent weeks the Iran nuclear talks restarted, and the Archbishop of Canterbury delivered himself of a statement criticizing Israel's treatment of Christians. Herewith, comments on both matters.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams January 12, 2022 Pressure Points
Religion

Religion and Populism in the United States and Europe

The University of Birmingham's Jocelyne Cesari and Pembroke College, Oxford's Tobias Cremer discuss the relationship between religion and populism, and how this relationship is affecting the politics…

Webinar by Jocelyne Cesari, Tobias Cremer and Irina A. Faskianos January 6, 2022 Religion and Foreign Policy Webinars