CESNUR 2025 —
Charting a Global Future for Religious Pluralism

Uniting History, Indigenous Faiths and New Spiritual Movements on the Shores of Cape Town, South Africa

By Peter Zoehrer, FOREF Europe
Date: December 2, 2025

When Cape Town hosted the 2025 edition of CESNUR — the Center for Studies on New Religions — for its annual conference “Spirituality, Religion and New Religious Movements” (14–19 November 2025), the city became more than a venue for academic papers. For one week it was transformed into a global crossroads of faith, history, human rights, scholarly exchange and inter-cultural solidarity. The conference was organized jointly by CESNUR along with African Forum for Religious and Spiritual Liberty (AFRSL), African Hidden Voices, and the International Society for the Study of New Religious Movements (ISSNR). Delegates — over 80 scholars, human-rights advocates, spiritual-community leaders and religious-liberty activists — came from Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond.

For all of us dedicated to defending the freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), Cape Town offered a compelling testament: religious and spiritual identity is living, evolving, often persecuted — and yet demands respect, protection and solidarity.

Heritage, Memory and Spiritual Diversity: A Journey Through the Cape

One of the enduring features of CESNUR’s conferences is their mobility: each year the event is held in a different country. This format blends rigorous academic exchange with immersive field-trips — visits to spiritual, historic or cultural sites that bring alive the lived reality of faith, heritage, memory. The 2025 Cape Town edition honoured that tradition in full. [²]

Between 15 and 17 November, participants embarked on a series of excursions through the Cape region’s vineyards, historic towns and natural landscapes — journeys that did more than deepen scholarly exchange. They connected us with centuries-old stories of persecution, flight, resilience, adaptation — showing how spiritual identity, exile and renewal often go hand in hand. [²]

Remembering the Huguenots: Persecution, Exile, Viticulture — and Hope

A highlight of the field-trips was the visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum in Franschhoek. The museum preserves the memory of the Huguenots — French Protestants forced to flee France after waves of persecution, most notoriously following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the brutal events of the 16th–17th century religious wars. Their flight from violence, exile and marginalization across Europe eventually led some to settle at the Cape of Good Hope at the end of the 17th century. [³][⁴]

The first large organized group of Huguenots arrived at the Cape in 1688; by 1692 around 201 French Huguenots had settled there. [⁵] Though small in number, their arrival left a long-lasting legacy: they introduced viticulture and laid the foundations of what became the Cape winelands. [⁶]

Walking amidst ancestral Bibles, ruined artifacts, and at the adjacent Huguenot Monument — a statue of a woman holding a Bible in one hand and a broken chain in the other — participants witnessed history. The museum does not tell an abstract story. It tells a human story: of faith under fire, of forced exile, of rebuilding life in a foreign land — of dignity, survival, hope. [³][⁴]

That visit was followed by a wine-tasting in the vineyards of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch — a shared glass under African sunshine, laughter, intercultural conversation. In a way, this was a pilgrimage in the footsteps of persecuted believers — akin to the Pilgrim-Fathers’ journey to America centuries ago. The vineyards, the wine, the convivial mood among scholars — all felt like a small but meaningful tribute to resilience and spiritual freedom. Kudos to the Huguenots who turned persecution into new life.

The historical context, however, demands realism. The violent persecution of the Huguenots in France — culminating in events like religious wars and successive suppression — remains one of the darkest episodes in European religious history. [⁴][⁷] The Huguenots’ story — from persecution to diaspora, from exile to rebuilding — resonates deeply with the global mission of FoRB advocacy. It reminds us that religious freedom is fragile; that persecution does not simply vanish with time; and that believers, once forced to flee, can become agents of cultural renewal, heritage preservation, even economic contribution.

New Religious Movements and Global Challenges: Reports from the Frontlines

The conference’s academic core, held on 18–19 November, addressed urgent issues: the growth, suppression, stigmatization of new spiritual movements worldwide; the contested boundaries between “religion,” “spirituality,” and “newness”; the systemic pressures — legal, social, media-driven — faced by minority faiths. [²][⁸]

Over eighty scholars attended, representing a wide array of religious traditions, academic disciplines, and cultural backgrounds. Their presence testified to both the vitality and urgency of the issue. Topics ranged from anthropological field-studies of new religious movements (NRMs), legal and sociological analyses of persecution, media studies on “anti-cult hysteria,” to theological reflections and comparative religion. [²][⁹]

One of the central voices was veteran scholar Eileen Barker, whose decades of empirical, non-partisan research into NRMs has provided a bulwark against sensationalist, fear-driven narratives. Her work underscores the importance of objectivity, respect for pluralism, and caution in labeling minority faiths with stigmatizing terms. [⁸]

Equally significant was the keynote by CESNUR’s director, Massimo Introvigne, who presented “The Difficult Hour of the Gods,” focusing on increasing pressures against minority and new spiritualities in Asia — especially in Korea, Japan, Taiwan — due to a mix of state repression, social stigma and media-driven “cult panic.” [²][⁸]

Another powerful intervention came from Ján Figeľ, former EU Commissioner and Special Envoy for FoRB. In his remarks at the Opening Plenary, he stressed that freedom of religion or belief is not a privileged optional right — it is a fundamental human right rooted in human dignity. He called on governments, civil society, religious institutions, and individuals to commit actively to defend this right for all — especially for those belonging to minority faiths, new spiritual movements and indigenous traditions. His words reminded all delegates: our academic and advocacy work has a moral and human dimension.

I was honored to present a paper titled “A Dangerous Precedent: Japan’s Assault on Religious Freedom and Its Global Fallout.” The reception I received from many colleagues — scholars, human-rights defenders, participants from varied backgrounds — confirmed a tragic truth: even in democratic societies, believers belonging to minority or non-mainstream spiritual traditions are increasingly vulnerable.

In summary, the 2025 programme painted a sober but necessary picture: spiritual pluralism is global, increasing, and facing severe pressure — legal, social, cultural. The fight for religious liberty must adapt accordingly: globally coordinated, academically grounded, morally resolute.

Academic Integrity as a Shield — CESNUR’s Enduring Role

Founded in 1988 by a group of religious scholars from leading universities in Europe and the Americas, CESNUR has grown over decades into the world’s most significant scholarly network dedicated to new religious movements and religious-liberty advocacy. [¹][¹⁰]

At CESNUR 2025, the presence of long-standing scholars — including J. Gordon Melton — underlined the importance of academic rigour, methodological neutrality, and intellectual integrity. Their work remains one of the strongest defenses against prejudice, hysteria, sensationalism and ideological “witch-hunt” campaigns. In a world where religious minorities often face demonization, abuse, social ostracism or legal discrimination, unbiased scholarship constitutes a bulwark: it reveals truth, combats misinformation, and provides a solid foundation for advocacy, policy-making and human-rights protection. [¹][¹⁰]

Spotlight on The Revelation Spiritual Home: A New Force in African Indigenous Spirituality

One of the most compelling facets of CESNUR 2025 was the visible inclusion of The Revelation Spiritual Home (TRSH) — an African-initiated spiritual movement founded in Johannesburg in 2009 by Imboni Dr. uZwi-Lezwe Radebe. The conference programme included a dedicated visit to TRSH centers and recognized African Indigenous Spirituality (AIS) as a legitimate dimension of global religio-spiritual pluralism. [²]

Origins and Mission

TRSH was established in 2009 with the declared mission to “restore” African indigenous spiritual identity and reconnect people with ancestral spirituality”. The movement emphasizes core values such as integrity, humility, respect, unity, ancestral heritage and cultural memory. Its aim is to create a spiritual home where individuals — even those not born into traditional tribal or ethnic structures — can reclaim identity, dignity and belonging. [²]

Under Radebe’s leadership — his title “Imboni” meaning “seer” or “visionary” in certain African traditions — TRSH is more than a congregation: it is a social, spiritual and cultural institution, seeking to combine spiritual teachings with community cohesion, moral formation, cultural revival and social support. [²]

Growth and Reach

While published academic ethnographic data is still limited, the 2025 conference listing indicates the hope of TRSH’s broad presence. The inclusion of TRSH in the programme — including field-trip options to TRSH centers — signals that African Indigenous Spirituality is gaining recognition on the international stage. [²]

Its presence at CESNUR 2025 — alongside global NRMs, new religions, and human-rights advocacy — was symbolically and practically important: for the first time African indigenous spirituality was given space and dignity in a global academic forum on NRMs. This matters profoundly: TRSH challenges narrow definitions of religion as “institutional,” “Western,” or “mainstream.” It demonstrates that spiritual diversity, ancestral traditions, and indigenous faiths remain relevant — even vibrant — in the 21st century. Believers in such movements deserve the same respect, protection and human-rights as adherents of more familiar faiths.

Institutional Breakthrough: AFRSL & FOREF — A True Global FoRB Alliance

A major institutional milestone coinciding with Cape Town 2025 was the consolidation of the partnership between AFRSL and Forum for Religious Freedom – Europe (FOREF). On 8 December 2023, AFRSL was formally inaugurated in Cape Town. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, the two organizations committed to cooperation, mutual support, and joint advocacy across continents. [³]

This alliance signals a shift: religious-freedom advocacy is no longer a Western, Euro-centric enterprise. Instead, it is becoming truly global, inclusive, inter-cultural. Through collaboration, grassroots legitimacy (especially representing indigenous spiritualities) and institutional experience are being combined — creating new capacity to defend FoRB worldwide.

At CESNUR 2025, AFRSL did not simply attend — it co-organized. Its coordinator, Radebe, helped shape the conference’s agenda; its involvement gave concrete representation to African indigenous spirituality in an international forum. This institutional breakthrough means that spiritual movements historically marginalized, stigmatized or ignored — indigenous faiths, new spiritual movements, diasporic communities — are now gaining visibility, solidarity, and international support.

For the global FoRB cause, this is more than symbolic. It is strategic: inclusive, pluralistic, cross-cultural, and rooted in respect for human dignity, heritage, and spiritual identity.

See Also

NIGERIA: Lynched for “Blasphemy”

Why This Matters — For Pluralism, Human Rights, and Global Solidarity

• Religious pluralism is global, not a Western luxury. Cape Town 2025 proved that spiritual traditions — indigenous, new, revived, hybrid — cross continents and cultures. Suppressing them is not only unjust — it is a denial of dignity, identity, heritage.
• Academic scholarship protects truth against panic and prejudice. The presence of seasoned NRM scholars and institutions like CESNUR ensures that defense of religious liberty is grounded in evidence, not fear or hearsay. In times of moral panic and misinformation, this is indispensable.
• Global alliances increase protective capacity. Partnerships such as AFRSL–FOREF create transcontinental networks capable of defending spiritual minorities everywhere — especially vulnerable or marginalized communities.
• Historical memory matters. The example of the Huguenots — persecuted, exiled, yet rebuilding lives in foreign lands — demonstrates that religious exile can lead to renewal, contribution, cultural enrichment. It reminds us that protecting religious freedom is both moral obligation and common good.
• Spiritual diversity enriches humanity. Movements like TRSH show that faith is not static, not confined to traditional religious institutions. Spiritual revival, indigenous identity, cultural roots — these too are part of the human religious mosaic deserving respect and protection.

Final Reflection: From Cape Town to the World — A Call to Conscience

The 2025 CESNUR Conference in Cape Town was more than a gathering of scholars. It was a moment of solidarity across continents, traditions, histories. From the vineyards of Franschhoek — planted by exiled refugees — to African indigenous spiritual movements rising anew; from seasoned academics defending freedom of belief with research, to grassroots leaders providing spiritual homes to the marginalized — Cape Town became a living demonstration of what pluralism, dignity and freedom of conscience can look like in practice.

In a world increasingly fragmented by fear, prejudice, nationalism, cultural homogenization — this gathering stood for unity, diversity, respect, human dignity. It showed that freedom of religion or belief is not just a matter of rights or politics — it is a matter of conscience, humanity, memory, and hope.

Sources & References

1. CESNUR 2025 Cape Town Conference — programme and organisers. (CESNUR) [https://www.cesnur.org/2025/cape_town-program.htm] (cesnur.org)
2. CESNUR 2025 Cape Town Call-for-Papers and conference schedule. (CESNUR) [https://www.cesnur.org/2025/cape-town-cfp.htm] (cesnur.org)
3. Huguenot Memorial Museum, Franschhoek — official website: “About the Huguenots / Museum History.” [https://museum.co.za/] (Huguenot Memorial Museum)
4. Information about the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek: history, symbolism, sculpture, inauguration date. (Wikipedia & Huguenot Society) (Wikipedia)
5. First large group of French Huguenots arriving at the Cape (1688–89), numbers settled by 1692. (South African History Online) [https://sahistory.org.za/dated-event/first-large-group-french-huguenots-arrive-cape] (South African History Online)
6. The impact of the French Huguenots on winemaking in the Cape — introduction of viticulture, establishment of wine farms. (MelWines / history of winemaking in Franschhoek) [https://www.melwines.co.za/franschhoek-a-rich-history-of-winemaking/] (melwines.co.za)
7. Overview article “From viticulture to commemoration: French Huguenot memory in the Cape Colony (1688–1824)” — description of settlement, persecution, cultural legacy. [University of Michigan Library] (Quod)
8. CESNUR’s role and spectrum of activities regarding new religious movements, minority religions and freedom-of-religion advocacy. (CESNUR “about” page) [https://www.cesnur.org/about_en.htm] (cesnur.org)
9. Report on CESNUR’s 2024/2025 conferences highlighting global challenges for NRMs — as context for 2025 Cape Town. (Academic journal on new religions) (journals.phil.muni.cz)
10. General summary of CESNUR’s foundation (1988), mission and network of scholars including J. Gordon Melton. (CESNUR “about” page; Encyclopedia entries) (cesnur.org)
    

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    RELATED LINKS:
    A Dangerous Precedent: Japan’s Assault On Religious Freedom And Its Global Fallout
    Peter Zoehrer, Journalist and Executive Director of FOREF Europe, delivered this address at the CESNUR 25 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Opening Plenary on Tuesday, 18 November 2025.

    African Indigenous Spirituality, The Revelation Spiritual Home, and Dr. Radebe at CESNUR 25 (Bitter Winter) A major in-depth article on Dr. Imboni Samuel Radebe’s presentation and spiritual leadership, and the role of The Revelation Spiritual Home in the revival of African Indigenous Spirituality at CESNUR 25.

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