In this talk entitled “World of Hurt, Word of Hope,” part of the Edmiston Center’s Grimké Lecture Series at RTS Atlanta, Knox Thames examines why religious freedom is important in a just society and why persecuted religious communities are overlooked in so many modern American justice conversations.


Knox Thames is a human rights lawyer, advocate, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting religious freedom abroad and the rights of religious minorities. He is a senior visiting expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace with the Middle East and Religion and Inclusive Societies teams.