On Thursday, 5 February 2026, on the occasion of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF Italy), in partnership with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), held a webinar on the theme, “Faith and Freedom”. The participants were: Pastor Aldo D'Onofrio, representing FFWPU; Prof. Saverio Scuccimarri, on behalf of Adventists; Ms. Cristina Cordsen, delegating for Christian Science; and Mr. Mauro Bombieri, speaking for Hare Khrishna
The forum offered an articulated comparison between the Christian experience, the Unificationist philosophy, the Adventist vision and the Indian Vaishnava perspective on how to investigate the theme of religious freedom as a fundamental right and a dimension of human conscience. Through biblical analyses, testimonies and reflections, the speakers highlighted the universal scope of freedom of faith, respect for religious diversity and the ethical and spiritual implications of personal choices. Particularly relevant was the discussion on the relationship between the rules of faith and free will, on the need to protect the right to believe (or not to believe) for all, and the concept of God as an entity that invites and guides but does not force.
Pastor Aldo D'Onofrio opened the discussion by presenting a global picture of concerns, drawing attention to the persecution of religions, with particular emphasis on Christianity, but suggesting that this threat extends even further. The words of an American religious leader underline how this is not a time of despair, but a time to remember the purpose of faith and the personal call of every individual. He explained that each person is part of a much bigger picture than what the world is able to perceive today, and it is this sense of belonging and trust that gives one the strength to continue the journey.
Prof. Scuccimarri outlined the importance of religious freedom as a pillar historically inherited from the Baptist tradition. He chose two biblical quotations for his talk. Starting with Matthew 22:21 ("Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's"), he stated that though originally thought to be a strategic response to a trap, this has now become a manifesto of the separation between religious and political power, and therefore of freedom of conscience. The other quotation was from the Second Book of Kings 5:1-14. Miraculously healed, Naaman converts to the God of Israel, but in his role in court he still helps the king of Syria to perform his rites. Elisha approved his request, recognising the value of freedom of conscience and gentle loyalty to those who were different.
Ms. Cristina Cordsen, representing the Committee for the Publication of Christian Science, started with a quotation from the founder, Mary Baker Eddy as being the cornerstone on which "Christian Science raises the banner of freedom", inviting everyone to welcome freedom as divine glory. She recognises how the discovery of this perspective was a personal transformation for her. She had never thought before that she was the holder of this right, nor that it belonged to everyone. She drew attention to how the founder of Christian science was committed to transmit a vision of religion as being a personal and liberating encounter with God and not an imposition, and to the possibility, opened up by creation itself, to be free and creative children of God.
The last participant, Mr. Mauro Bombieri, sent a recorded video. He opened the horizon on faith and freedom in the context of devotion to Krishna. Mr. Bombieri noted that in religious contexts faith is often associated with obligations and boundaries while freedom is perceived as an absence of limits. In reality, in the Vaishnava philosophy, true faith is born only from the freedom of free will, and is considered a sacred gift and not a simple error or accident. Without this freedom no authentic relationship with God can be built and no experience of love is possible. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, he explained how, after expounding his teachings to Arjuna, Krishna invites him to reflect and choose freely. This passage is about the principle that God guides, teaches, and suggests, but never obliges, leaving the spiritual decision to the individual himself.