Despite serious concerns expressed by the South African faith community, the CRL Rights Commission is heading to parliament today (Tuesday June 27) to present their final report on the “Commercialisation of Religion and Abuse of People’s Belief Systems” to several portfolio committees, says Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) in […]
Tag: religious freedom
No outcome yet in Christian schools case
An instagram/whatsapp message that is currently doing the rounds, saying “case in Bloemfontein High Court to keep Christianity in schools is concluded today. Christians have won the case. Glory to God.” is misinformed and incorrect, says Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA). There is no outcome as of yet […]
Judgment reserved in ‘OGOD’ case
By Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) Following a three-day hearing earlier this week, the Johannesburg High Court reserved judgment in the landmark case of OGOD (Organisasie vir godsdienste-onderrig en demokrasie) vs 6 public schools. The schools and various “Friends of the Court” (including the SA Council for Religious […]
Are we using or abusing our religious freedom in South Africa? — Jan Gouws
Jan Gouws executive director of Open Doors South Africa looks at religious freedom in South Africa from a global perspective, On April 27, we celebrated freedom in our country. The constitution partly defines this freedom as follows: “everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion”. […]
Jailing of Christian governor for ‘blasphemy’ pushes Indonesia towards radical Islam
Compiled from reports (see below) Indonesia’s highest profile Christian politician is tonight in a prison cell, sentenced to two years for blasphemy, and the country’s reputation for pluralism and religious tolerance is in peril. The district court where the verdict was announced was surrounded by radical Islamist mobs calling for […]
A call to prayer — ‘religion in schools’ case in court next week
By Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) From Monday May 15 to Wednesday May 17 the Johannesburg High Court will hear arguments in the controversial case of OGOD vs Laerskool Randhart, Laerskool Baanbreker, Laerskool Garsfontein, Hoërskool Linden, Hoërskool Oudtshoorn and Langenhoven Gimnasium. Although the case is only against these […]
Gauteng pastor writes open letter opposing regulation of religion
Gauteng church leader, author and television personality Pastor Enoch Phiri this week published an open letter to CRL Commission chairperson Mkhwanazi Xaluva expressing concerns with the commission’s proposals to regulate religion in South Africa. The CRL which wants laws to regulate faith-based organisations is expected to table a report next month […]
UK Supreme Court agrees to hear Christian bakers’ appeal
Originally published by Christian News The UK Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of a Christian family that was ordered to pay damages to a homosexual rights activist for declining to write the words “support gay marriage” on a cake. “The fact that the Supreme Court is willing […]
Ethiopian state considers restricting ‘Christian activity’ to church buildings
Originally published in World Watch Monitor Ethiopia’s northern Tigray State is considering adopting a new law that would restrict Christian activities to within official church compounds, rendering illegal the activities of smaller churches that do not own their own buildings and gather in houses. The law, if passed, would most […]
Sudanese churches face bulldozing threat
Originally published in One News Now A persecution watchdog group is launching a new campaign to stop dozens of church demolitions in Sudan. The grassroots effort by International Christian Concern is designed to raise awareness of ongoing threats by the Sudanese government to thrash churches in and around the capital […]