The communist government in China is increasing measures to repress religions, including its mass detention of people. These and other measures to repress religions are part of China’s accelerated sinicization that clamps down on freedom of religion, according to the US State Department’s 2019 International Religious Freedom Report. The annual report released last week, says Read more
Unprecedented times have led to previously unseen disruptions for Christian congregations across New Zealand. COVID-19 has not only greatly impacted our economy and daily lives but has also altered our patterns of worship, fellowship, and faith. We should all feel proud of the success we have been able to achieve together during this crisis. However, Read more
Cardinal John Dew preached a message of religious tolerance, inclusion and acceptance when giving the homily on Waitangi Day. Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington, urged New Zealanders to recommit to protecting the beliefs of followers of all religions and of non-religious people. Preaching at the interdenominational church service at Waitangi on Thursday, Dew recalled the Read more
The Trump administration is considering tying foreign aid payments to how countries treat their religious minorities. Politico first reported the plan, which is currently being drafted as an executive order, which President Trump has yet to see. Critics argue the move is merely a political one, an effort to shore up support from evangelical Christians Read more
Hong Kong Christians fear freedom of religion could be “gone forever” despite the withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill and leader Carrie Lam’s efforts to ease tensions in the administrative region. Christians and pro-democracy supporters are worried the Chinese government could make another attempt to ramrod legislation in Hong Kong that would specifically target the Read more
A Brisbane rally to oppose anti-discrimination exemptions for religious groups will be held this weekend. The proposed legal changes could see organisations owned by religious groups, such as schools, hospitals and aged care facilities, be given the right under federal law to legally expel students and fire staff on the grounds of sexual orientation, trans Read more
A man whose religious public address in Whangārei upset some listeners says the police interfered with his right to free speech by asking him to shut up. During a 20-minute fire-and-brimstone sermon in Cameron St on July 20, ”street preacher” Grant Edwards hurled denigrating comments at passers-by and people seated nearby. As well as telling Read more
Farid Ahmed, a survivor of an attack on his mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand spoke at the opening of the US State Department’s second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom on Tuesday (July 16). He emotionally recalled having to go home after the March 15 mass shooting and tell his daughter that her mother would no Read more
A Catholic school teacher whose social media posts espoused views contrary to those of the Church is suing the school, where she had worked for 16 years, for firing her. Elizabeth Cox is seeking financial compensation as well as reinstatement as a teacher at the school. The school has 30 days to respond to the Read more
The University of California, Santa Cruz has taken down a cast-iron bell that memorialized Catholic missions in the state after a Native American group argued it was a symbol of racism and oppression. School employees removed the bell from its spot outside the Hahn Student Services Building during a ceremony Friday. The school decided to Read more