Free To Believe
Christian in Pakistan Charged with Blasphemy for Bible Post on Facebook
Pakistani Christian community overwhelmed after a posting on Facebook.
Belarus - Seven fined for talking about Easter in street
Belarus is following the Russian government as it moves to further restrict religious freedom within the country. Here’s a good article discussing the new initiative and some backstory.
RUSSIA: Freedom of religion and belief monitoring group to be liquidated
It becomes very difficult to hold governments to account when they have removed those who monitor their behavior. Vladimir Putin continues to pressure religious groups by now shutting down the leading religious freedom monitor in Russia.
Annual USCIRF Report on International Religious Freedom
One of the most important and comprehensive reports on RF is the Annual USCIRF Report on International Religious Freedom
Report on the pressures on people around the world because of their beliefs
Study by OpenDoors to examine the differing pressures that exist on men and women in various geographic areas around the globe as they try to live out their faith beliefs.
T shirts and Thought Police
In this day and age in Canada, the default is not always tolerance of others. For some, the only thing that matters is forcing everyone into their image. How does it come to be that someone's T shirt could ruin your day?
Millions of Muslims head for Hajj pilgrimage as covid restrictions lift
The Hajj Pilgrammage returns to full capacity after three years of COVIOD restrictions. Here is a photo presentation of what that means for so many Muslims.
China forcing Catholic leaders to be re-educated or lose their jobs
China’s Communist Party continues its campaign to control the Chinese Catholic church, forcing leaders to undergo extensive re-education or lose their opportunity to serve the faithful. The process has split the Church
Justin Welby rejected as leader by conservative Anglicans over same-sex blessings
A group of Anglican leaders from around the world have rejected the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as their leader after the Church of England backed prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.
FBI Admits to Targeting Devout Catholics
Law enforcement agencies seem to have become tools of various social justice agencies, more concerned about the average citizens than about those who are actually breaking the law.
Brazil: Transcending divisions through a shared identity
Brazil’s Bahá’í Office of External Affairs and government officials examining the role of religion in promoting a shared identity among the Brazilian population.
Russia's Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses is spreading
The persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses which has been so enthusiastically encouraged by the Russian government has now spread into the Russian held area of Crimea.
Despite freedoms Christians in Indonesia have an uphill battle
The Indonesian government’s policy of encouraging unity and social justice for all of it's peoples, allows for a large degree of religious freedom. However, that is not always realize on the ground.
Freedom of Religion as a Human Right
The Council of Europe’s Upcoming Vote on Establishing “Sect Observatories” looking to keep an eye on cults and religious sects - one country's religion is another country's cult.
Pakistan Report
U.S. report looking at Pakistan's failure to improve conditions for its minorities, growing intolerance within the country’s leadership for religious diversity.
Uzbekistan Report
Over the last several years Uzbekistan has made progress with ending police raids on religious minority communities; granting official registration to a small number of religious groups; releasing some prisoners for their religious activities.
Theology for the Common Man - A Time for Revitalisation of the Sikh Heritage
An interesting analysis from decades ago of the challenges that religious faiths face as they attempt to rescue mankind out of the quagmire of sin and superstition. More current than one might anticipate and a topic all faiths should be addressing.
Violence and Religious Freedom in Nigeria
Nigeria in the past, has experienced religious tolerance and harmony. But in the last decade non-state actors have stirred up violence and the failure of political leadership has resulted in ongoing and increasing violence for religious communities.
Religious Freedom in Egyptian Schools Reforms
An interesting USCIRF Conversation: Assessing Religious Freedom in Egyptian Curriculum Reform. Egypt has been encouraged to examine its school curriculum and improve the educations system approach to issues of freedom of religion.
Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
Lists of persons [USCIRF] determines are imprisoned or detained, have disappeared, been placed under house arrest, been tortured, or subjected to forced renunciations of faith for their religious activity or religious freedom advocacy by government.
Group rejects idea of new cultural identiies for Christians in Lebanon
President of the Universal Syriac Union Party strongly rejects notion that there should be imposition of new cultural identities on Christians in Lebanon
Afghanistan Freedoms Report
On August 15, 2021 the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Since then, freedoms have been drastically curtailed and the Taliban is ruling Afghanistan in a similar manner to the way it ruled the country from 1996 to 2001.
China: House Churches Attacked and Banned in Several Provinces
In Beijing, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Jilin, and Sichuan ongoing police raids target churches that refuse to join the CCP-controlled Three-Self Church.
Asia, Muslims take to the streets against a BJP minister: she offended Muhammad
Global demonstrations erupt as the Muslim community reacts to Indian Cabinet Minster’s comments on Muhammad’s marriages.
India activist Afreen Fatima says her house bulldozed ‘illegally’
Muslim activist in India – loses her home while she is gone. House is bulldozed and personal items thrown on the ground in a lost nearby.