Category Archives: religious freedom
Conscience Blog
Religious Freedom Abroad: The USCIRF 2013 Annual Report – Derek H. Davis, J.D., Ph.D. On April 30, 2013, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an advisory body created by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) in 1998 to … Continue reading
Alleged Discrimination Against Minority Faiths by Canadian Federal Prisons
Some inmates in British Columbia federal prisons are suing the Canadian government for discriminating against their religious beliefs by failing to renew part-time chaplain contracts. Jews, Sikhs, Muslims, Wiccans and Buddhists claim that since the federal government refused to renew … Continue reading
Council of Europe Adopts New Resolution on Religious Freedom
Noting the increasing violence worldwide against those espousing minority religious beliefs and practices, the Parliamentary Assembly voted that member states are to recognize and take measures to protect religious minorities in the countries they deal with, ensuring that democratic principles … Continue reading
Washington State Bill Amending Non-Discriminaton Law Introduced
Arlene’s Flowers of Richland, Washington refused to provide flowers for a same-sex marriage stating that doing so violated their conscience. Now a bill has been introduced into the state legislature amending Washington’s law forbidding discrimination. If the bill passes, businesses … Continue reading
Jehovah’s Witness Teen Must Receive Blood Transfusion
A 17-year old Australian was ordered to receive a blood transfusion to save his life. The teen threatened to ‘rip out’ the needle because he is a devout Jehovah’s Witness, stating that blood products violated his religious beliefs and would … Continue reading
Clergy-Penitent Privilege Not Restricted to Formally Ordained Ministers
A Kansas federal district court ruled that the clergy-penitent privilege is not limited to only those formally ordained as ministers. The government argued that the privilege did not apply to communications between Angel Dillard and the inmates she ministered to … Continue reading
Christian Bishops Kidnapped and Freed in Syria
A Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox bishop were kidnapped in Syria while doing humanitarian work. Both are archbishops of their respective churches. Muslim church leaders have also been kidnapped in Syria but these are the highest ranking church leaders kidnapped … Continue reading
Clerics, Democracy and Satire
‘The Fatwa Show’ is the creation of Ahmed Benchemis, visiting professor at Stanford University. Previously of Morocco, Mr. Benchemis was a journalist who had to leave after the authorities were unhappy with his reporting. Self-criticism is essential for a democracy … Continue reading
Copts and Muslims Clash in Egypt
An argument broke out after a Muslim was upset with children drawing a swastika on religious buildings and the man insulted Christians and the cross. Shots ran out and fires were lit. At least one Muslim and four Christians were … Continue reading
Buddhists Target Muslims
Advocating ‘direct action’, hardline Buddhist monks and groups in Sri Lanka are attacking mosques and alleged Muslim owned businesses every few days. Claiming that Muslims are seeking to destroy their culture and take over the country, they appear to have … Continue reading