Join Paul Coleman, a British lawyer with expertise in international human rights, Kristen Waggoner, CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, and John Steenhof, an Australian lawyer focused on faith rights, as they delve into the precarious state of religious freedom. They discuss the rise of hate speech laws and the erosion of conscience rights, revealing how modern legal frameworks are reshaping fundamental freedoms. Their compelling insights highlight the urgency of defending free speech and the significance of individual beliefs in today's increasingly secular society.
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insights INSIGHT
Religious Freedom’s Fundamental Role
Religious freedom is fundamental because it connects us to a higher authority or the divine.
It forms the basis for virtue and good citizenship in society.
insights INSIGHT
Modern Secularism’s Intolerance
The rise of secularism with intolerance resembles past religious persecutions.
Modern secularism lacks mercy and forgiveness unlike Christianity.
insights INSIGHT
Radical Autonomy Crushes Dissent
Contemporary ideologies lack allegiance to a higher power and emphasize radical autonomy.
This autonomy suppresses dissent and undermines free speech.
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John joins Paul Coleman, John Steenhof and Kristen Waggoner for a powerful discussion on the state of religious freedom in the West. Together, they explore the rise of hate speech laws, the weaponisation of anti-discrimination regimes, the erosion of conscience rights, and the emergence of a new secular orthodoxy that punishes dissent. Drawing on major legal cases across Europe, the US, and Australia, the panel reveals how fundamental freedoms are being redefined — and what must be done to reclaim them.
Paul Coleman is a British lawyer and Executive Director of ADF International, a legal advocacy organisation based in Vienna. He specialises in international human rights and European law, and has worked on more than 20 cases before the European Court of Human Rights. Coleman has also authored submissions to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the UN Human Rights Committee, and various national courts.
Kristen Waggoner is CEO, President, and General Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest legal organisation defending religious liberty and free speech. She has argued several landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, including Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative, securing major victories for freedom of expression. Waggoner also oversees ADF’s international work, advancing human rights and defending the rule of law around the world.
John Steenhof is the Principal Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Alliance, a legal firm dedicated to defending religious freedom and free speech in Australia. With a background in commercial law and non-profit leadership, he now focuses on protecting the rights of individuals to live out their faith without legal penalty.
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