The Pragmatic Case for Freedom of Religion or Belief Dr Brian J. Grim

Dr Brian J. Grim
University of Notre Dame Australia
School of Law
The Pragmatic Case
for Freedom of
Religion or Belief
Religion is growing and will continue to grow globally, with about 9-in-10 people
projected to be affiliated with religion in 2030 compared with 8-in-10 in 1970,
according to the World Religion Database. At the same time, however, there has
been a dramatic rise in the level of religious restrictions and hostilities. For instance,
in 2007, fewer than 30% of countries had high restrictions on freedom of religion
or belief, but by 2012, this figure increased to 43% according to the Pew Research
Center. For the past decade, Dr. Brian Grim has led these ambitious global studies
of religion. He will discuss his research that empirically shows that freedom of
religion or belief, when protected by governments and respected by citizens,
results not only in less conflict and violence but also in better social and economic
outcomes, including better lives for women. He will also discuss his new research
on how business respect for and encouragement of interfaith understanding pays
dividends in peace and stability as well as provides benefits to the bottom line.
Brian J. Grim, PhD in Sociology, Penn State. Formerly, directed the Pew Research
Center’s cross-national data project. Currently, President, Religious Freedom &
Business Foundation. Leading expert on international religious demography and the
socio-economic impact of restrictions on religious freedom. Scholar, Georgetown
and Boston Universities. TEDx and UNAOC speaker. Author of numerous works
including: The Price of Freedom Denied; World Religion Database. Work history
includes 20 years living in the former Soviet Union, China, Central Asia, the Middle
East and Europe.
Date:
Time: Venue:
Thursday 20 November, 2014
5:30pm for 6:00pm start
School of Law Moot Court
The University of Notre Dame Australia
Corner of Shepherd and Rose St, Broadway
RSVP - Friday 14 November, 2014
Tel: (02) 8204 4300 or email: [email protected]
CRICOS PROVIDER CODE: 01032F - ND0733