Originally published in Fox News Finnish members of Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola were in a courtroom on Monday facing up to two years in prison. Their crime: expressing religious views. Räsänen faces three charges of ethnic agitation for a 2004 pamphlet, for taking part in a […]
Tag: religious freedom
Time to defend your faith like never before, says Michael Swain
South Africans should be prepared to defend their freedom of religion like never before as several court cases and draft legislation this year will challenge their right to practice and share what they believe without prosecution, said Michael Swain executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA). “There […]
Finnish Politician on trial fighting for freedom to quote Scripture
Originally published in CBN News A Christian member of Parliament in Finland is on trial, fighting for freedom of speech and religion in court on Monday because she posted an image of a Bible passage to social media which condemns homosexuality. Päivi Räsänen has been under investigation since 2019 for […]
4 000 pastors unite against Canadian law they say will ‘criminalise Christianity’
Originally published in CBN News Thousands of pastors across North America have reportedly come together to protest Bill C-4, a Canadian law that took effect Jan. 8 after reportedly being pushed through Parliament with little debate. The claim is that Bill C-4 is broadly worded and could, in effect, ban biblical teachings on […]
High Court judge gives government free pass to ban religious gatherings at will
By Freedom of Religion South Africa The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed applications by four organisations which challenged the government’s total nationwide ban on religious gatherings in December 2020 / January 2021 while other gatherings were allowed to continue. In a media release, one of the four organisations, Freedom of […]
Religious freedom advocates ask Biden to put Nigeria back on watchlist for anti-Christian violence
Originally published in Fox News A broad array of religious freedom advocates has banded together in asking President Biden to put Nigeria back on the State Department’s list of countries of particular concern (CPC) on religious freedom, citing the ongoing violence, killing and displacement of Christians at the hands of Boko Haram, […]
Canada bans ‘conversion therapy,’ threatens therapists with prison
Originally published in Fox News The Canadian Senate on Tuesday passed a sweeping ban on conversion therapy after senators agreed to fast-track the bill through the legislative process without extensive debate, committee study or votes. Bill C-4, which received royal assent Wednesday, amends the Canadian Criminal Code to criminalise causing someone to […]
UK church ministers prepared to break law over conversion therapy ban
Originally published in Premier Christian News A group of UK Christian ministers and pastoral workers say they’re willing to break the law if it means defending the right to teach traditional Christian views. They’ve written to the Equalities Minister, Liz Truss in response to a consultation on so-called conversion therapy – […]
The case for religious exemptions to taking the vaccine
Advocate Nadene Badenhorst legal counsel for Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) probes the issue of vaccine mandates and freedom of religion *Note: As an organisation, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) is not for, or against, vaccination but believes it is the right of every individual to choose for […]
In her own words: Christain florist’s legal journey comes to an end
Originally published in Alliance Defending Freedom Barronelle Stutzman’s legal journey has concluded. A settlement agreement secured by Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys with the ACLU ends a lawsuit brought against floral artist Barronelle Stutzman nearly a decade ago without forcing her to act against her religious beliefs or to pay potentially ruinous […]