#  Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School 

 



##  Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School 

We educate leaders on the civic necessity of understanding religion to build a just world at peace.



 

 

 

       ![Harvard Divinity School winter campus](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/2025-12/Jan11_Winter_155.jpg?itok=62pUJ4MR) 

 

 



 

 



 

##  Programs 

 



  [### Religious Literacy and the Professions

 ](/programs/religious-literacy-professions)Religious Literacy and the Professions collaborates with professionals working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to advance a deeper understanding of the complex influences of religions in modern human affairs.



 

   ![Doctors examine a woman in an African clinic setting](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/rpl/files/rlpi_linkbox.jpg?itok=o-7ctT0X) 

 

 

 

  [### Master of Religion and Public Life

 ](https://www.hds.harvard.edu/academics/degree-programs/mrpl-program)The HDS Master of Religion and Public Life degree helps experienced professionals develop in-depth knowledge of the complex ways religion influences public life related to their career areas.



 

   ![MRPL student panel at an HDS event](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-12/05122022-Leadership-Forum-0270.jpg?itok=6mGfPWm_) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

    ![Terrence Johnson headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_3_4__480x640/public/2025-12/05242023-TerrenceJohnson-003.jpg?itok=QQ9hQq2t) 

 

 

 

   

As the new director of Religion and Public Life, I want to invite you to join us in our efforts to deepen the scholarly and professional understanding of religion in service of a just world at peace.

 

Terrence L. Johnson, MDiv '00

Director of Religion and Public Life

 [Faculty Profile](https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/people/terrence-johnson) 

 



 

 

 

 

##  News 

 



  [### RPL Explores Intersections of Justice and Public Theology

 ](/news/2026/05/22/rpl-explores-intersections-justice-and-public-theology) May 22, 2026 

In a recent lecture, guest speakers Quinton Dixie and Rev. Leslie Callahan explored the legacy of the Rev. C.T. Vivian, discussing the intersections of justice and public theology.



 

 

   ![Leslie Callahan and Quinton Dixie headshots](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/RPL%20Pub%20theo%20justice%20webinar%20hero%20copy.jpg?itok=5o5o_S3Z) 

 



 

 

   [### RPL Examines Black Religious Thought and American Democracy

 ](/news/2026/03/10/rpl-examines-black-religious-thought-and-american-democracy) March 10, 2026 

In a recent RPL guest lecture, Paul Cato examined the role of Black religious thought in American democracy, emphasizing the influence and challenge of love.



 

 

   ![Paul Cato](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/Paul%20Cato%20headshot%20wide.jpg?itok=DtWY7K3s) 

 



 

 

   [### RPL Examines Relational Sovereignty and Indigenous Liberation

 ](/news/2026/02/20/rpl-examines-relational-sovereignty-indigenous-liberation) February 20, 2026 

In a recent RPL lecture, Natalie Avalos examined the concept of "relational sovereignty," a framework of indigenous liberation emphasizing the kinship of all living things.



 

 

   ![Natalie Avalos](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-02/Profile_Avalos%20wide.jpg?itok=yfqtrh5j) 

 



 

 

  

 

 [ View All News arrow\_circle\_right ](/news) 

 

 

 

 

##  Events 

 



   
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