Academics debate in Leuven on how to protect the religious freedom of the most vulnerable

More than 40 scholars, faith leaders, and human rights advocates from 14 countries gathered in Leuven, Belgium, on May 8-9 for the fifth international ISFORB conference, hosted by the Evangelical Theological Faculty.

Representatives from 20 academic institutions and 8 religious organizations came together to address the pressing issue of “Religious Freedom and Vulnerability”.

The conference of the Institute for the Study of Freedom of Religion or Belief featured nearly thirty presentations alongside keynote lectures from experts across Europe.

Dr. Steven van den Heuvel, Professor of Ethics at ETF Leuven, opened discussions by exploring how our shared human vulnerability can actually strengthen the case for protecting religious freedom. Drawing on philosophical insights, he argued that recognizing our common fragility as human beings provides a powerful foundation for defending vulnerable faith communities worldwide.

The most practical presentations came from Prof. Leita Ngoy of the Oikos Institute, who shared her hands-on experience creating Intercultural Worship Services in Gütersloh, Germany. These innovative services provide a safe haven for some of society’s most vulnerable members—undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and others struggling to find their place in unfamiliar spiritual environments. For many of these worshippers, simply attending church can be terrifying due to fears of deportation or feeling unwelcome in traditional worship settings.

[photo_footer] Prof. Leita Ngoy, speking at the 2025 ISFORB conference in Leuven. / Photo: ISFORB. [/photo_footer] 

“Intercultural worship creates a space where people can bring their whole selves—their languages, stories, and traditions—without pressure to assimilate”, Ngoy explained. Rather than seeing vulnerability as a weakness to overcome, these services embrace it as the foundation for genuine community and mutual understanding. The result is worship that restores dignity and makes religious freedom meaningful in everyday life, moving beyond abstract concepts of equality toward genuine hospitality and justice.

The conference also tackled complex contemporary challenges facing faith communities. Swedish expert and ETF PhD student Kristina Patring presented research on the intersection of religious freedom and LGBTI+ rights—an increasingly contentious issue for many religious organizations.

[photo_footer] Participants from 20 different instititutions had the chance to know from each other's work.  / Photo: ISFORB. [/photo_footer] 

She presented a report, developed by international colleagues on the relationship between FORB and SOGIE rights; addressing difficult questions such as: what obligations religious organisations have regarding LGBTI+ inclusion? The presentation sparked intense but respectful discussion among participants.

Beyond the formal sessions, the conference provided valuable opportunities for networking and relationship-building, culminating in a pleasant conference dinner where participants continued their conversations in a more relaxed setting.

The event represents the ongoing work of ISFORB and is an annual initiative of ETF Leuven.

[photo_footer] Participants from 20 different instititutions had the chance to know from each other's work.  / Photo: ISFORB. [/photo_footer] 

The ISFORB brings together doctoral students, faculty members, and visiting researchers to tackle contemporary questions about religion's role in secular society. Their work spans from local community issues to global religious persecution, examining how societal changes, human rights discussions, and faith intersect in our modern world.

For evangelical communities facing increasing pressure worldwide, such research and dialogue are more crucial than ever. The conference demonstrated that protecting religious freedom requires not just advocacy, but deep understanding of how vulnerability, dignity, and justice connect in our diverse global community.

The ISFORB is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Jelle Creemers and Dr. Tatiana Kopaleishvili and can be contacted here.

[analysis]

[title]Join us to make EF sustainable[/title]

[photo][/photo]

[text]At Evangelical Focus, we have a sustainability challenge ahead. We invite you to join those across Europe and beyond who are committed with our mission. Together, we will ensure the continuity of Evangelical Focus and our Spanish partner Protestante Digital in 2025.

Learn all about our #TogetherInThisMission initiative here (English).

[/text][/analysis]