Part I reviews the scholarly literature relating to the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and challenges the classic approach to this right. Chapter 1 discusses the origin and meaning of the terms ‘forum internum’ and ‘forum externum’. It explains that, in the literature, there is a general consensus that there is a clear binary and hierarchical distinction between the absolutely protected forum internum and the qualified forum externum in the architecture of ECHR Article 9, and that this distinction features in the related ECtHR jurisprudence. It then explores criticisms raised by commentators relating to the ECtHR’s understanding and application of this distinction, and notes some suggestions made by commentators to resolve the issues. Finally, it examines the way in which this classic approach to the right and its protection by the ECtHR has evolved. It questions the veracity of claims that there is, or should be, such a distinction between the forum internum and forum externum in ECHR Article 9 and related ECtHR jurisprudence, and suggests that a review of the understanding this Article and the case law is not only necessary but overdue.