Brian Pellot
Brian Pellot is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
All Stories by Brian Pellot
Hate crime or parking spat, legal bullets killed Chapel Hill victims
By Brian Pellot — February 17, 2015
America’s Second Amendment and illegal firearms abroad too often deny others their rights to life, freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.
John Dehlin’s excommunication highlights Mormon hypocrisy on ‘religious freedom’
By Brian Pellot — February 11, 2015
When the LDS Church excommunicates its own members for apostasy, it undermines the legitimacy of its freedom of thought, conscience and religion campaigns abroad.
Charlie fallout * Blasphemy * Everything else: January’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — February 2, 2015
New year, new RFR format. Let’s start with a look at how January’s big story played out internationally then spotlight new challenges to religious freedom and freedom of expression across the globe.
The Occasional Pilgrim: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand
By Brian Pellot — January 29, 2015
Step inside Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with stunning views overlooking the city.
Al Mohler’s ‘erotic liberty’ is an offensive misnomer for LGBT rights
By Brian Pellot — January 22, 2015
Al Mohler’s “erotic liberty” has nothing to do with the porn industry. It’s an offensive stand-in for “LGBT rights” that reduces a fight for equality to mere animalism.
Christian caveman finds God in Wilderness, South Africa
By Brian Pellot — January 20, 2015
(RNS) Clifford Brandon says God led him to an abandoned cave eight years ago. In that time he's transformed Kaaiman’s Grotto into a shelter for homeless Christians and a makeshift museum of trinkets.
‘Friendly’ Pope Francis proves he’s no friend to free speech
By Brian Pellot — January 16, 2015
Religion is fair game for satirists. In suggesting that faith be protected from public scrutiny just because some consider it sacred or sensitive, Pope Francis negates the very essence and definition of free speech.
Fox News declares war on responsible journalism in dangerous tirade against Muslims
By Brian Pellot — January 13, 2015
“We need to kill them.” Fox News host Jeanine Pirro’s us vs. them call to arms against “radical Muslim terrorists” -- and Muslims at large -- is the most dangerous example of hate speech I’ve seen on American television.
Porn star Mia Khalifa tackles death threats with humor after hijab sex scene
By Brian Pellot — January 9, 2015
The Lebanese-American adult actress, raised Christian, recently donned a hijab to get down and dirty. The stunt secured her porn star status while prompting a flood of threats and slut-shaming online. Now she’s responding to hatred with humor.
So what if Charlie Hebdo *is* racist? I’m still Charlie
By Brian Pellot — January 9, 2015
If you think #JeSuisCharlie means hating Muslims, gays, women and immigrants, you're missing the point.
#JeSuisCharlie: Why satire is sacred and the Charlie Hebdo massacre was sacrilege
By Brian Pellot — January 7, 2015
Fear, intimidation, even the ruthless slaughter of our colleagues must not stop satirists from scrutinizing, criticizing, challenging and mocking whatever they see fit. When fear forces censorship, fear wins.
Despite death threats, cartoonists challenge religious hatred and censorship online
By Brian Pellot — December 24, 2014
CAPE TOWN (RNS) Vishavjit Singh is one of many cartoonists using art to fight religious intolerance, hatred, stereotypes and censorship attempts online.
‘Progress’ in Iran must mean ending decades of human rights abuses
By Brian Pellot — December 22, 2014
Nazila Ghanea and Rose Richter argue that Iran must address its human rights violations -- including the denial of freedom of expression, association, assembly, opinion, and religion or belief -- to achieve lasting and meaningful progress.
#IndiaWithPakistan and #illridewithyou show social media solidarity amid tragedy
By Brian Pellot — December 17, 2014
Attacks in Sydney and Pakistan shocked the world this week. Amid these tragedies we witnessed unexpected solidarity and outpourings of support on social media, hatred being countered by hashtags and the hope of reconciliation.
Hate campaigns target atheists, humanists and liberals as distinct minority
By Brian Pellot — December 16, 2014
The International Humanist and Ethical Union's Bob Churchill says targeting atheists, seculars and liberals for their thoughts and beliefs risks widening the range of targets for hatred and exclusion.
