#  About 

 



##  About 

Religion is a powerful force in human experience, able to both thwart and promote human and planetary flourishing. Understanding this power can provide fresh insights into the most complex issues facing the world today.



 

 

 

       ![Tile pattern](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-03/RPL-AboutBanner.jpg?itok=y9XFilnL) 

 

 



 

 



 

**Mission:** Religion and Public Life promotes the public understanding of religion in service of a just world at peace.

**Approach:** We collaborate across disciplines and vocations to examine religion in context in ways that deepen understanding of the causes of injustice while opening imaginative possibilities for addressing the urgent challenges of our time.

**Hypothesis:** Just peace building is enhanced by the application of religious literacy principles. RPL’s offerings provide students, practitioners, and fellows with tools both to develop a deeper understanding of the causes of injustice and to generate fresh insights into possibilities for addressing the pressing challenges of our times.



 

  [### People

 ](/about/people)Meet RPL faculty, staff, and fellows



 

   ![Terrence Johnson and David Holland leading a seminar](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/06062023-MakingChange-0207.jpg?itok=iXneTmzN) 

 

 

 

  [### History

 ](/about/history)See how Religion and Public Life has grown thanks to its many committed faculty, staff, and supporters.



 

   ![Students seated at tables in the Braun Room during the 2018 Summer Institute](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/08022018-RLP-SummerInstitute-0072.jpg?itok=9wQHiEtS) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  [### Programs

 ](/programs)Get to know our dynamic communities of scholars, practitioners, and students committed to deepening the public understanding of religion to build a just world at peace.



 

   ![RPL workshop](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/08032023-ReligiousNationalismEducatorWorkshop-JeanneShinCooper-04.jpg?itok=spwW_gg2) 

 

 

 

  [### Engage & Apply

 ](/engage-apply)Find opportunities to advance your skills to work for a just world at peace.



 

   ![Group shot of Summer Institute participants on the steps of Swartz Hall](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/About_Engage%26Apply_card_08022018-RLP-Summer-Institute-8012.jpg?itok=9bQbpVhe) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  [### Give

 ](/about/give)Support our vision and join us to take on the most complex issues facing the world today.



 

   ![Four HDS students in a seminar class](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/051319_HDS_0426.jpg?itok=qTugsMZY) 

 

 

 

  [### News & Events

 ](/news-events)Stay up-to-date with our latest news and find ways to connect with us and engage in our work.



 

   ![Panelists talking at an RPL sponsored event](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/11132023-WildLife-104.jpg?itok=Gy0ee6KU) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  [### What We Do

 ](/what-we-do)Learn more about RPL’s approach to the study of religion and public affairs.



 

   ![Several students chatting with four refugees via video conference](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/11052017-RefugeePortal-5946.jpg?itok=aFdM8kJf) 

 

 

 

  [### Annual Report

 ](/rpl-annual-report-2023-24)We continue to pursue our vision of a just world at peace at Religion and Public Life (RPL).



 

   ![Group photo of some RPL community members at HDS's 2025 Commencement](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/20250529_Commencement_NCC_19.jpg?itok=xfiKmwtA)