Links:

Read Seiple’s Op Ed: https://religionnews.com/2023/01/25/advocates-and-builders-advancing-religious-freedom-together/

Learn more about the two-day civil society program taking place in Berlin, Germany Oct 8 - 10 in connection with The 2024 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief: https://irfsecretariat.org/berlin-pro...

Guest: Dr. Chris Seiple, Senior Fellow at Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC), Head of Sagestone Group

Introduction: In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde interviews Dr. Chris Seiple, who speaks on the vital connection between religious freedom and national security, focusing on how protecting religious rights can promote peace and mitigate extremism. The conversation concludes with recommendations for the 2024 Ministerial Conference in Berlin.

[MAIN TOPICS]

Religious Freedom and National Security:

Dr. Seiple highlights that religious freedom isn't just a moral imperative but also a practical solution for peace. When people protect those with different beliefs, they ensure mutual security, fostering stability and attracting foreign investment.

Restrictive Policies and Their Consequences:

Policies that repress religious groups, even with good intentions, can fuel extremism. Dr. Seiple explains how blanket repression of entire religious communities often alienates those who could otherwise help prevent radicalization.

Key Concept: Repression leads to resentment, while inclusion fosters peace. Working with religious leaders within communities can counteract extremist narratives.

Role of Religious Leaders in Peacebuilding:

Religious leaders are often trusted more than politicians in many societies. However, they must balance maintaining credibility with both their community and the government.

Challenges: Leaders must navigate the pressures from both sides—aligning with the government may weaken their trust with the public, while appearing to side with extremists can make them a government target.

The Importance of Building Trust:

Dr. Seiple shares examples from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where LYNC has brought religious leaders and government officials together through cross-cultural religious literacy programs. These efforts foster dialogue, trust, and practical actions to address grievances and prevent extremism.

Key Concept: “Talk, trust, and tangible actions” form the process that moves from self-interest to lasting peace.

Complexity of Mitigating Extremism Locally:

Dr. Seiple underscores that preventing extremism on the ground can be as complex as maintaining relationships in a marriage or family. Understanding people’s diverse perspectives requires patience and active effort.

Key Concept: "Mirror imaging" is a natural human tendency—projecting our own thoughts and values onto others. This is why it’s vital to engage communities in their own language and context, loving them as "neighbors" in a way that makes sense to them.

The Power of Trust:

In these complex dynamics, trust plays a pivotal role. Local religious leaders may not fully trust each other, but they trust the outsiders who facilitate dialogue.

Key Concept: It’s about...