Learn More About IARF-US
Click here to view a YouTube video introducing you to the US Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom. Its purpose is to foster acceptance and communication between religions of the world.
IARF-US Statement on Israeli/Hamas Violence
IARF-US Stands for religious liberty, ecumenical understanding and cooperation, and nonviolent and peaceful relationships. We are heartsick and deeply dismayed by both the terrible violence of Hamas terrorists and by the continued injustice and autocracy of the Netanyahu regime. Palestinians deserve a viable state with adequate land of their own, as does Israel as multi-religious democracies deserve to flourish. They are feasible only by providing adequately for both.
IARF-US Monthly Discussion Series
Since last April, we have offered a monthly series via Zoom presented by Chapter members who either shared their personal spiritualities with us or prepared topics on how we can support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - an essential element for maintaining humanity's spiritual freedom.
These one-hour Zoom events were recoded and are now available through links to YouTube in the introduction of each session listed below.
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April 17 -- John Young described his daily and weekly spirituality
practices drawn from many of the world's major religions. Click on the link below to view Rev. Young's presentation.
https://youtu.be/uHnprTgPT84
May 15 --
George Garland discussed the role of the US Commission on
Religious Freedom.
https://youtu.be/42Dx0ImhMv0
June 19 --
Professor Kunihito Terasawa discussed his combined practices
of Rissho Kosei Kai Buddhism and Lutheranism.
https://youtu.be/CfG9pgJgVzQ
July 17 -- George Garland addressed the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) and Planetary Boundaries - A Safe Space for
Spirituality.
https://youtu.be/aefxWIz8b6o
August 21 -- Rahul Young discussed SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy Electrifying America.
https://youtu.be/3G-tZowL8bw
September 18 -- Stephen Schwichow described how he combines his Buddhist
practices with his UU membership.
https://youtu.be/E0BLYNW8w4I
October 16 -- Leela Stake addressed SDG #5: Gender Equality.
https://youtu.be/SiSnh_GfbZ0
November 20 -- Betsy Darr and Christine Patch-Lindsay will discuss "Becoming UU Pagans."
https://youtu.be/aJYLbOn3eDk
December 18 -- Rev. John Young discusses how indigenous spiritual traditions can
participate in inter-religious dialogue.
https://youtu.be/yGrPG2cw1GA
U.S. Chapter Board
George Garland
Current chair of the IARF-US Chapter and a long-time UU. George is a member of the UU Community Church of NYC, where he has served as chair of the Board of Trustees and is now its treasurer. He is active on its UN Global Affairs Committee.
John Gubbings
Current treasurer of the IARF-US Chapter. He is committed to Unitarian Universalism as a support for a religiously diverse democracy, and perceives the IARF purpose of religious freedom as an aspect of social justice at the international level.
Roy Kaplan
To be completed
Kunihiko Terasawa
A professor at Wartburg College in Iowa, Kunihiko has interacted with Japanese IARF members. He is a Lutheran and a practicing Buddhist as a member of Rissho Kosei-kai.
Stephen Schwichow
As one who practices a minority religion in America and has experienced discrimination because of it, he am acutely aware of the issues surrounding the need for inter-religious amity and cooperation.
Advisory Board
Betsy Darr
Ahbi Janamanchi
Celine Ibrahim
Kathy Matsui
Nyla McCulloch
Peter Richardson