On Thursday, November 28 the Constitutional Court will hear Freedom of Religion South Africa’s (FOR SA’s) application for leave to appeal a High Court judgment last year which declared parents’ historic common law defence of “moderate and reasonable chastisement” to be unconstitutional. “While FOR SA is utterly opposed to any […]
Tag: religious freedom
‘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 […]
‘Parliament on collision course with ConCourt over same-sex marriage law’
When the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs adopted a motion of desirability for the Civil Union Amendment Bill yesterday, it placed itself on a collision course with the Constitutional Court, says Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) in a statement released today. The Bill aims to compel state marriage officers […]
Concern that same-sex marriage bill almost ‘done deal’
Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) has expressed concern that the proposed amendment of the Civil Union Act, which will force state-employed marriage officers to marry same-sex couples, appears to be a “done deal”. “This is despite the fact that there are serious questions regarding the constitutionality of the […]
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”). […]
Colorado targets Christian baker again despite Supreme Court’s cake ruling
Originally published in The Daily Signal The Colorado Civil Rights Commission is going after Christian baker Jack Phillips again, although the Masterpiece Cakeshop owner won a resounding 7-2 decision in June before the US Supreme Court. The state commission moved against Phillips after a lawyer asked him to design and […]
China closing churches, seizing Bibles in ‘ambitious new effort’ to eradicate religion
Originally published in Christian Headlines China is in the midst of an “ambitious new effort” to lessen or even eradicate the influence of Christianity and religion from the country, according to an investigation by the Associated Press. An in-depth story by AP described churches being shut down, Bibles being seized […]
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 […]
The world’s next religious freedom success story: Uzbekistan?
Originally published in Christianity Today Uzbekistan is an unlikely poster child for religious freedom. Open Doors currently ranks the Central Asian nation as No. 16 on its 2018 list of the 50 countries where it’s hardest to be a Christian. The US State Department named Uzbekistan again this year as a […]