Working to promote freedom of conscience for every person, no matter who they are or where they live.

Loma Linda Event Breaks New Ground

Religious liberty panel is a first for the campus


"Let My People Go:" Dr. John Graz, IRLA Secretary-General, speaks at the Campus Hill Adventist Church on February 5.

More than 300 people gathered on the campus of Loma Linda University, California, on February 5 to explore the challenge of preserving freedom of faith amidst growing fear of terrorism and religious extremism. Dr. John Graz, Secretary-General of the International Religious Liberty Association, was a special guest at the event and was joined on the discussion panel by General David Brahms, retired staff Judge Advocate for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Dr. Roy Branson, Associate Dean of the LLU School of Religion. Dr. Norman Farley and Audrey Johnson, the event organizers, said the strong turnout reflects the growing interest on campus in religious liberty issues and human rights.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Graz gave the Saturday morning address at Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, speaking about the responsibility of all people who love freedom, in every age, to work to preserve liberty of conscience.

From February 7 to 9 Dr. Graz met faculty members and students at nearby La Sierra University and gave three lectures on the state of religious freedom around the world. Later, in a two-hour interview on Loma Linda Broadcasting Network (LLBN), Dr. Graz spoke about the work of the IRLA in promoting and defending the religious rights of all people of faith. LLBN is an international Christian television network seen in 143 countries and broadcasting in English, Arabic and Chinese.

The February 5 event was co-hosted by the South Eastern California Conference Religious Liberty department and the North American Religious Liberty Association West Inland Empire Team.