Originally published in The Christian Institute Oluwole Ilesanmi was preaching in London when he was arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime and had his Bible confiscated by police. He was later released without charge. Hate speech Ilesanmi was preaching outside Southgate Tube station when he was approached by two […]
Tag: freedom of speech
Australian Govt to introduce religious discrimination law in wake of Folau case
Originally published in The Christian Institute Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his Government is set to introduce new laws on religious liberty, following the case of Israel Folau. The sports star was fired by Rugby Australia in May for a social media post quoting the Bible which was deemed […]
Right for Christians to share faith upheld in landmark UK judgment
Originally published in Christian Concern In a landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal has upheld the rights of UK Christians to freely express their faith by handing victory to former student social worker Felix Ngole. Overturning a High Court decision to uphold Felix’s expulsion from Sheffield University, the crucial outcome […]
Christian bakers vindicated in landmark ‘gay cake’ case
Christian bakers Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland did not discriminate against homosexual customer Gareth Lee, because of his sexual orientation, when they refused to bake him a cake featuring a slogan supporting gay marriage, the United Kingdom’s highest court ruled today. “Their objection was […]
‘Hate Speech Bill in danger of being rushed through’
On Tuesday August 28 the latest version of the controversial Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill was published for public comment (https://pmg.org.za/call-for-comment/727/), reports Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA). The original draft of the Bill received over 70 000 submissions, with many labelling it “draconian” (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2018-03-13-draconian-hate-crimes-bill-will-destroy-freedom-of-speech/) and a “threat […]
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 […]
Religious exemption clause in Hate Speech bill ‘will only protect sermons’
At Parliament on May 30 2018, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) attended a briefing by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice regarding the proposed Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (“the Bill”). This briefing followed certain amendments made […]
US Supreme Court rules Christian baker can refuse to make gay wedding cakes
Originally published in The Christian Post The United States Supreme Court ruled in favour of Colorado Christian baker Jack Phillips on Monday in overwhelming fashion, saying that the state government’s hostility towards his refusal to make a same-sex wedding cake violated the US Constitution. In a 7-2 vote, the nation’s […]
Bougardt judgment indicates likely legal limit of religious speech
Pastor gets prison sentence for offensive remarks towards gays On Friday, 18 May 2018 Pastor Oscar Bougardt – who found himself in trouble with the law again after making certain “highly insulting, demeaning and uncharitable” statements regarding the LGBT community – was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to […]
Judge rules California can’t force Christian baker to create cakes for same-sex weddings
Originally published in Christian News Network A Superior Court judge has ruled that the State of California cannot force a baker who identifies as a Christian to create cakes for same-sex “weddings” in violation of her faith. He differentiated between selling a generic product on the shelf with having to […]