Tag: FOR SA
Concerns about inclusivity and timing of proposed religious summit
Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) is concerned that key churches, denominations and religious organisations have been excluded from the process of arranging a proposed national religious summit on February 13 next year. “FOR SA has always called for, and supported, a broadly representative and inclusive process whereby the religious community […]
Parental rights appeal: FOR SA grateful for ‘good day’ in Constitutional Court
By Freedom of Religion SA Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) appeared in the Constitutional Court yesterday to defend the rights of parents to raise their children in accordance with their moral or religious convictions. In particular, FOR SA asked the court not to criminalise well-meaning parents who love […]
Constitutional Court to decide on discipline of children
On Thursday 29 November, the Constitutional Court will hear an appeal against the judgment by the Johannesburg High Court last year, effectively declaring all forms of physical correction of children by their parents — no matter how light or well-intended — illegal. The appeal is brought by Freedom of Religion […]
FOR SA urges public to comment on spanking Bill
Comments on the revised draft of the Children’s Amendment Bill 2018 are open until November 29, says Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) in an email alert calling for broad public participation in the process through submitting written comments. Section 7 of the Bill proposes that any punishment, within the […]
Parliamentary committee shocks with call for state regulation of religion
By Freedom of Religion SA The call by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women in the Presidency for “government to tighten legislation and to close churches, where necessary”, has been met with shock and outrage by religious leaders across the country. According to a statement by committee chair Thandi Memela: […]
Process for participation in controversial Children’s Amendment Bill “falls woefully short”
Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) has written to the Minister of Social Development to complain of the insufficient time and lack of information given by the Department to enable the public to participate and give input on the provisions in the Children’s Third Amendment Draft Bill (“the Bill”). […]
FOR SA urges broad public participation in spanking bill consultations
Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) has sent out an email alert encouraging broad public participation in the provincial consultations, and written submissions, on the Children’s Third Amendment Bill which outlaws any form of physical discipline at home. Provincial consultations on the bill will be held in August and September, […]
Religious belief may justify “discrimination” — Adv Nadene Badenhorst
A recent article in Die Burger regarding the settlement agreement concluded between Christian author Gretha Wiid and the Human Rights Commission (HRC), states as follows: “You may be a Christian and practise your religion, but you cannot use it to discriminate against others”. This statement is an over-simplification and therefore […]
Court case could impact church autonomy: Call to stand together
By Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) On August 21 2018, the Pretoria High Court will hear argument in an important case (Gaum and others vs Dutch Reformed Church and others) that could potentially have dire implications for the autonomy of the Church — and indeed the broader religious community […]