Union Theological Seminary

Far-right forces have long used claims of “religious liberty” to advance their agendas – from businesses shutting their doors to same-sex couples to corporations denying healthcare.

But in the midst of unprecedented attacks on immigrants, faith communities are showing us a new vision of religious freedom. Migrants are demanding the right to practice their faiths, and citizens are stepping up to defend their neighbors.

And they’re winning in court.

In a new flagship report from the Center for American Progress titled “Religious Liberty for All” – Liz Platt, director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Union Theological Seminary, describes how faith communities are charting a new course for religious liberty – one that aims to protect people, rather than constrain them.

Full report can be found here: https://buff.ly/XQQgGr2

Union Theological Seminary professor Rev. Gary Dorrien grew up in a working-class family on Union Road in semi-rural Michigan. Early in his life, he was captivated by two hallmarks that ultimately defined his lifetime of scholarship: the crucifix and the civil rights movement.

In a rare personal lecture and Q&A with Homebrewed Christianity, Rev. Dorrien traces the ideas, scholarship, and experiences that have shaped his work across solidarity activism, theology, social ethics, and beyond. He dives into the nuances of Christian democratic socialism, the role of Hegel in theology, and applications to the current political moment.

Watch the full Q&A here: https://buff.ly/tBAbaw4

In 2020, prison guards in Louisiana held down and shaved Damon Landor, a Rastafarian who vowed not to cut his hair as part of his faith.

Landor tried to stop the guards by handing them a copy of a court decision holding that shaving him would violate federal law. But they threw it out.

Today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Landor has no right to compensation. Now, state jail and prison employees across the country have a free pass to commit similar violations of incarcerated people’s religious freedom.

In a new op-ed in RNS, Liz Platt – director of Union Theological Seminary’s LRRP – argues that this case is far from unique. While our nation claims to protect religious liberty, the path to justice is often far harder for those who face obstacles within our larger judicial system.

Read the full piece in RNS: https://buff.ly/RY0Gr3e

Union Theological Seminary recently welcomed scholars from across the country for the second Ghadeer Conference, “Genealogies of Shi'i Tradition: From Hilla to Hyderabad, 1258-1335.” Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative inquiry, participants examined the historical processes that shaped Shi‘i identities, institutions, and intellectual traditions in the centuries following the Mongol conquests.

Bringing together experts in Islamic history, theology, and religious studies, the conference explored how evolving networks of scholarship, patronage, mobility, and intellectual exchange influenced the development of Twelver Shi‘i thought. We are grateful to the organizer, Professor Noor Zehra Zaidi, the keynote speaker, Professor Asma Afsaruddin, and all who contributed to this rich conversation, advancing the study of religion through rigorous scholarship and meaningful dialogue.

Spirits were high as we celebrated graduation day at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility! 🎓✨

We are so proud to honor the incredible dedication, perseverance, and brilliance of our newest Master of Professional Studies (MPS) graduates.

The MPS program offers people incarcerated in New York the opportunity to earn a master's degree – and to step into a lifetime of leadership and service. Originally founded by New York Theological Seminary and now housed at Union Theological Seminary, this is the longest-running graduate program for incarcerated learners in the country.

Today's graduates join nearly 600 MPS alumni who have gone on to do profound community work – leading re-entry programs, advancing education, practicing social work, and championing youth advocacy.

We can't wait to see what our newest class of superstars does next. Congratulations!