Parliament’s second House, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), today adopted the Civil Union Amendment Bill. The effect of this Bill is to remove the “conscientious objection clause” in section 6 of the Civil Union Act, says Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) in a media release. This will […]
Tag: religious freedom
Three-day fast called for Mogoeng over attacks for Israel comments
Healing The Nation of Africa (HTNA) has called a three-day Esther fast for Chief Justice Mogoeng who it notes “has come under heavy attack for saying he prays for the peace of Jerusalem in line with his faith”, “The attack is not aimed at silencing Chief Justice alone but at […]
Two petitions call on Ramaphosa to respect Mogoeng’s right to express view on Israel
Two petitions have been launched calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to respect Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s right to express his Christian views on Israel. Figures from both petitions will be combined and South Africans are encouraged to sign either petition. In a petition published yesterday, its author, Rebecca-Leigh Cantor (you […]
Committee adopts Bill that threatens conscience rights of civil marriage officers
During a committee meeting yesterday evening, the Select Committee on Security and Justice adopted the contentious Civil Union Amendment Bill which proposes removing rights of civil marriage officers to object to presiding over unions that violate their conscience or sincerely-held beliefs. The committee’s decision followed a media announcement yesterday by Human […]
‘Conscience rights under attack as parliamentary legal advisers mislead MPs again’
By Cause For Justice Parliament is considering a legislative proposal that has major implications for human rights in general and in particular, the rights to equality, human dignity and freedom of conscience, religion and belief.[i] The Civil Union Amendment Bill (the Bill)[ii] proposes the removal of civil marriage officers’ right to conscientious objection[iii] – a […]
Trump executive order provides R846m to advance religious freedom worldwide
Originally published in Christian Headlines Calling it a “moral and national security imperative”, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday providing R846-million ( $50-million ) to promote religious freedom around the world and to pressure countries that are the worst violators to change their policies. The order provides […]
Wedding venue denies unfair discrimination charge, accuses SAHRC of bias
By Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) Following the opening of the legal case against them by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the owners of Beloftebos yesterday filed their opposing papers with the Cape High Court (Equality Court). In their papers, the owners of the wedding venue […]
“Beloftebos Case” will test our constitutional protections
By Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) In a previous article, we reported that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has now instituted legal proceedings against Beloftebos (a wedding venue near Stanford, Western Cape) in the Cape Town High Court (sitting as an Equality Court). According to the […]
Government must review ‘unfair’ regulations on religious gatherings, says FOR SA
By Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) When President Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster on March 15th, there was little data about COVID-19 and thus considerable uncertainty and fear. His decision to take decisive action, and the “hard” lockdown regulations that followed, was widely supported. At the […]
Megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne meets with sheriff who had him arrested
Originally published in The Christian Post. Leader of Revival International Ministries and The River at Tampa Bay Church in Florida, Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne, appears to be mending fences with Hillsborough County Sheriff, Chad Chronister, who had him arrested in March for hosting in-person church services during the coronavirus pandemic. Howard-Browne, […]