Brian Pellot
Brian Pellot is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
All Stories by Brian Pellot
5.3 billion people face harsh religious freedom restrictions
By Brian Pellot — January 14, 2014
(RNS) Most of the world's population (76 percent), lives in countries with high levels of social and government restrictions on religion, according to a new Pew Research Center report.
What the quenelle!? * Burned books * Utah’s unions: Religious Freedom Recap: Jan. 6-13
By Brian Pellot — January 13, 2014
Tensions escalate over French comedian Dieudonne’s reverse Nazi salute. Books and texts are burned or banned in Lebanon, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Applestan. Utah’s gay newlyweds navigate a new political minefield.
Five religious-themed apps banned from iTunes
By Brian Pellot — January 10, 2014
(RNS) From "Me So Holy" to "iSlam Muhammad," Apple has banned at least five iPhone apps with religious themes deemed too controversial for download.
5 religious iPhone apps banned from the App Store
By Brian Pellot — January 9, 2014
From Me So Holy to iSlam Muhammad, here are five iPhone apps with religious themes that Apple deemed too controversial for download.
North Korea and ‘failed’ Muslim states top Open Doors’ Christian persecution list. So what?
By Brian Pellot — January 8, 2014
A new report from Christian advocacy group Open Doors cites Islamic extremism and organized corruption as main drivers of Christian persecution in its annual list of worst offenders. Should non-Christians care?
8 worst countries for religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — January 7, 2014
The U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. These countries not only suppress religious expression, they systematically torture and detain people who cross political and social red lines around faith.
Little Sisters act * Kippah ban * Quelle quenelle?: Religious Freedom Recap: Dec. 30 – Jan. 6
By Brian Pellot — January 6, 2014
Nuns bring SCOTUS and the Obama administration to a head over the federal contraception mandate. Israel’s soccer association lifts its ban on kippahs. And France is in a tizzy over the spread of a rude (and possibly anti-Semitic) hand gesture. No, not that one.
Report: 8 countries on UN Human Rights Council restrict religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 31, 2013
LONDON (RNS) A new report says eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating local laws that restrict freedom of religion or belief.
U.N. Human Rights Council fails to protect religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 30, 2013
A new report shows that eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating laws that restrict their basic human right to freedom of religion or belief.
Iran’s Charter of Citizens’ Rights could worsen religious freedom in the country
By Brian Pellot — December 27, 2013
University of Oxford lecturer Nazila Ghanea has long tracked Iran’s record on religious freedom. Ghanea says the president’s new draft Charter of Citizens’ Rights could further impoverish human rights understandings and the situation of Iran’s religious minorities.
Becket Fund shames Wisconsin for being too religiously inclusive
By Brian Pellot — December 24, 2013
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has given its lowest honor, the Ebenezer Award, to Wisconsin’s Department of Administration for allowing diverse and controversial holiday displays at the State Capitol. Who’s the real scrooge here?
Merry holidays! * Quack attack * Shariah law in London: Religious Freedom Recap: Dec. 16 – 23
By Brian Pellot — December 23, 2013
The Flying Spaghetti Monster invades state capitols. Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson quacks up a controversy. And Muslim protesters threaten 40 lashes for selling alcohol in my London neighborhood.
Flying Spaghetti Monster invades state capitols!!!
By Brian Pellot — December 19, 2013
His Noodliness has taken up residence in the Wisconsin and Florida state capitol buildings. Should all displays be permitted? Only those of certain faiths? None? Here’s your chance to weigh in.
Journalists face ‘religious straitjackets’ in half of all countries
By Brian Pellot — December 19, 2013
A new report by Reporters Without Borders documents how blasphemy, apostasy and religious defamation laws are used the world over to stifle free expression.
Persecuted atheists * Scientology weddings * Polygamy in Utah: Religious Freedom Recap: Dec. 9-16
By Brian Pellot — December 16, 2013
Atheists face the death penalty in 13 countries. Britain’s high court recognizes Scientology weddings. And a federal judge declares Utah’s anti-polygamy law unconstitutional. Xenu now pronounces you husband and wives.
