The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing
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| Founded | 2001 |
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| Mission | "Advocating for sexual and reproductive justice, education and health in faith communities and society" |
| Website | religiousinstitute |
The Religious Institute, Inc. is a liberal American multi-faith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society. It was co-founded in 2001 by Debra Haffner, a Unitarian Universalist minister and sexologist, and Larry Greenfield, an American Baptist minister and theologian.
The Religious Institute’s stated purpose is "to change the way America understands the relationship of sexuality and religion". Among its objectives are building a network of clergy and other religious leaders who are dedicated to sexual justice, promoting sexuality education in faith communities, and educating policymakers and the general public about a progressive religious view of sexuality.
In May 1999, twenty theologians from various traditions came together to formulate the "Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing". It offers a progressive religious framework for sexuality. As of 2006, it had been endorsed by over 2,250 religious leaders from over 35 religious traditions.
At its inception, the Religious Institute was a program of Christian Community, Inc. That organization became defunct in February 2012. In March 2012, the Religious Institute incorporated as an independent organization, Religious Institute, Inc, and received IRS recognition as a non-profit educational organization shortly thereafter.
The Religious Institute addresses a variety of sexual and reproductive justice concerns through advocacy, education, and development of resources as well as through partnerships with clergy and congregations, national religious organizations, and sexual and reproductive health organization.
The Religious Institute believes that all religious communities are responsible for addressing sexuality. It defines a sexually healthy faith community as one that is “committed to fostering spiritual, sexual, and emotional health among the congregation and providing a safe environment where sexuality issues are addressed with respect, mutuality, and openness.” Sexuality is integrated with spirituality in liturgies, pastoral care, religious education with both youth and adults, and in community social action programs.
The Religious Institute believes that religious communities have a unique role in providing sexuality education. Its publication A Time to Speak: Faith Communities and Sexuality Education provides ideas and resources for faith communities on how to provide sexuality education for their congregants as well as support sexuality education in their communities.
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