Challenges to Protecting Religious Freedoms: The Roles of Government and Societal Norms

In an era defined by rising nationalism, authoritarianism, and religious fundamentalism, protecting religious freedom has become a central global challenge. While international law and human rights frameworks have long enshrined the principle of religious liberty, the gap between global commitments and national practices has widened, leaving religious minorities vulnerable to state and societal restrictions. Drawing on case studies from Nigeria, Egypt, Russia, France, and the United States, we show that both government policies and social hostilities shape restrictions on religious freedom across political systems and cultural contexts. Using comparative analysis of legal frameworks, international reports, and documented incidents of repression, we identify distinct yet interconnected pathways by which religion becomes a site of contestation over identity, nationalism, and state authority. We argue that restrictions, whether imposed by governments or reinforced by societal pressures, undermine social cohesion, exacerbate divisions, and threaten democratic governance. We conclude that no single institutional model guarantees religious freedom, as even nation-states with strong legal protections struggle with deep internal conflicts over its meaning and scope.