Mixing religion and public diplomacy can produce volatile results, but in a world in which the dissemination and influence of religious beliefs are enhanced by new communications technologies, religion is a factor in many foreign policy issues and must be addressed. Faith is such a powerful part of so many people's lives that it should be incorporated in public diplomacy efforts if they are to have meaningful resonance among the publics they are trying to reach. This book addresses key issues of faith in an increasingly connected and religious world and provides a better understanding of the role religion plays in public diplomacy.

Introduction; Philip Seib 1. Why Religion Matters in the World; Brie Loskota and Richard Flory 2. Pope John Paul II, Radio Free Europe, and Faith Diplomacy; Daniel Hall 3. Vatican Diplomacy in Vietnam and China; Lan Chu 4. China's Faith Diplomacy; Juyan Zhang 5. Public Diplomacy and Transnational Blasphemy Controversies; Najeeba Syeed-Miller 6. Muslims' Online Faith Diplomacy; Mohammed el-Nawawy 7. The Minaret Referendum and Switzerland's Proactive Public Diplomacy; Ambassador Johannes Matyassy and Seraina Flury 8. Capturing the World's Attention: Buddhist Media Diplomacy in Myanmar; Diane Winston 9. Shaping the Narrative of Religious Freedom; Liora Danan Conclusion; Philip Seib