Brian Pellot: On Freedom
Are state-funded religious schools dividing Britain?
By Brian Pellot — December 3, 2013
An estimated 1.2 million students in England are placed in state-funded faith schools based on the religious affiliations of their parents. So much for so-called secularism.
Thanksgivukkah freedoms * No free hugs * Khallowistmas: Religious Freedom Recap: Nov. 25 – Dec. 2
By Brian Pellot — December 2, 2013
Religious freedom lies at the heart of both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. Saudi Arabia bans the “exotic practice” of free hugs. And Festivus takes a back seat to Khallowistmas, December’s hottest new holiday (invented by yours truly).
From Scientology to FLDS, expert claims governments are raiding nontraditional religious groups like never before
By Brian Pellot — November 27, 2013
Professor Stuart Wright has studied new and nontraditional religious movements (NRMs) for more than 30 years. Since the 1990s, he’s documented a surge in state raids on these groups. What’s going on?
Women bishops * Blasphemous twits * Gay tornadoes: Religious Freedom Recap: Nov. 18-25
By Brian Pellot — November 25, 2013
The Church of England welcomes women bishops. Another man is arrested for tweeting about the Prophet Muhammad in Kuwait. And word is God sent tornadoes to Illinois last week because s/he was upset about the state’s new gay marriage law. Watch out, Hawaii.
Monty Python reunion promises ‘tiny piece of ancient sex.’ What about blasphemy?
By Brian Pellot — November 21, 2013
The British comedy troupe, famous for its irreverent take on religion, will reunite for a one-off show in London next year. Here’s a look back at Python sketches some faithful folks found offensive.
Christianophobia: Q&A with author Rupert Shortt on the global persecution of Christians
By Brian Pellot — November 19, 2013
Tying into the surge of debate around Christian martyrdom and persecution, here are some highlights from a recent interview with Rupert Shortt, author of Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack.
Christian persecution? * Bible balloons * The other Moonies: Religious Freedom Recap: Nov. 11-18
By Brian Pellot — November 18, 2013
Debate flares over how people define martyred and persecuted Christians. An American church drops Bibles over North Korea. And a drunken Wisconsin woman drops trou in the name of religious freedom. God bless America.
Atheists and believers seek common ground in Scotland
By Brian Pellot — November 13, 2013
40 atheists and religious believers recently came together from across the U.S. and the U.K. to discuss their shared values and ethics at a weekend retreat in Coatbridge, Scotland. Here’s what you missed.
Public prayer * Belgium’s ‘youthanasia’ * Christmas in November: Religious Freedom Recap: Nov. 4 – 10
By Brian Pellot — November 11, 2013
The Supreme Court debates public prayer. Belgium considers granting assisted suicide rights to children. And Venezuela’s president moves Christmas to November to win votes.
8 landmark church-state court decisions that shook America
By Brian Pellot — November 8, 2013
Greece v. Galloway is just the latest in a long line of religious freedom cases to reach the Supreme Court. Here’s a look at some of the biggest free exercise and Establishment Clause issues the Supremes have tackled over the years.
‘Blasphemous’ tweets * God graveyard * Zombie panda?!: Religious Freedom Recap: Oct. 28 – Nov. 4
By Brian Pellot — November 4, 2013
A Saudi man is released as a Kuwaiti’s jail sentence is upheld over “blasphemous” tweets. Atheists erect a fake graveyard for gods that are no longer worshipped. And I still look like an emo teen covered in black eyeliner. Thanks, Halloween.
From Madonna to Lady Gaga: 10 of the most ‘blasphemous’ pop songs and music videos
By Brian Pellot — November 1, 2013
The dueling queens of pop join Kanye West and John Lennon as some of the biggest names in music whose work has been labeled “blasphemous.”
Driving Miss Saudi * Rihanna’s #burqaswag * Atheist invasion: Religious Freedom Recap: Oct. 21 – 28
By Brian Pellot — October 28, 2013
Saudi women get behind the wheel. RiRi gets booted from an Abu Dhabi mosque. And London’s atheists take a shot at world domination.
British lords debate government’s responsibility for religious asylum seekers
By Brian Pellot — October 23, 2013
British politicians and faith leaders gathered at the House of Lords Tuesday to discuss Christian persecution abroad and the United Kingdom’s “non-functional” immigration system.
Sacre secularism! * Blasphemous prayer * State circumcisions?: Religious Freedom Recap: Oct. 14 – 21
By Brian Pellot — October 21, 2013
Faith leaders attack France’s secularism. French bishops decide the Lord’s Prayer is blasphemous. And an Israeli politician tells mohels they might soon need to perform circumcisions at embassies in Europe.
