Baha’i
Missing Mom at the movies
By Jana Riess — April 21, 2015
Movies aren’t just entertainment; they’re memories of life and love. When I see a movie a second time I am always thinking about where I was and who I was with the first time. And Mom and I aren't making those memories anymore.
‘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.
The grief that keeps on giving
By Jana Riess — October 30, 2014
These episodes don’t happen very often anymore, more than a year and a half after losing Mom. But the grief is always there, gently submerged, biding its time.
Anti-Semitism * Helmet hair * ROHINGYA : August’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — September 2, 2014
Anti-Semitism continues to seep across Europe following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Motorcycle-riding Sikhs in Ontario must wear helmets, even though they don’t fit over their turbans. And Myanmar is asking foreign officials not use the word “Rohingya,” to which I say “ROHINGYA ROHINGYA ROHINGYA.”
Learning to heal from abuse: One man’s mission to help
By Boz Tchividjian — July 11, 2014
An interview with an amazing man who is committed to serving survivors by connecting them with qualified counselors at no cost.
Delve into the history of the Baha’i faith
By Mary Herndon — July 7, 2014
On July 9, 1850, the Baha’i figure called the Bab was killed. Believed to be a messenger of God proclaiming the impending arrival of Baha’u’llah, he was executed for apostasy by firing squad in the Persian Empire. According to Baha’i accounts, the Bab had disappeared when the smoke from the guns lifted, but he was […]
Lobby Hobby * Meriam’s saga * Mormon purge?: June’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — June 30, 2014
SCOTUS decides whether Hobby Lobby’s favorite hobby (lobbying) paid off. Sudan’s Meriam Ibrahim is yanked around on death row for being Christian. And the Mormon Church excommunicates women’s ordination advocate Kate Kelly on apostasy charges. All this and much more in June's RF recap.
Maybe there ARE more Baha’is than Jews in South Carolina!
By Mark Silk — June 26, 2014
Earlier this month, I took exception to a Washington Post map purporting to show the second largest religious tradition (after Christianity) in each state of the Union. But maybe I was wrong about the Bahá'ís in South Carolina.
Sudanese Christian Meriam Ibrahim may be free, but is she safe? The real problem with apostasy and blasphemy laws
By Brian Pellot — June 23, 2014
Reports are emerging that Meriam Ibrahim, once on death row for apostasy and adultery, has been released. Hold the applause---her life could still be at risk.
Gay cakes * Zombie guru * Camp Kill Jews: May’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — June 2, 2014
Colorado orders bakers to bake gay wedding cakes as fast as they can. An Indian court will rule on whether an uber wealthy guru died in January or is just meditating in a freezer. And Spain’s Jewless “Camp Kill Jews” finally kills the killing part of its name.
Christian Britain * Breastfeeding pope * Stoned Brunei: April’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — May 5, 2014
Politicians and pundits debate whether Britain is a Christian state. A Polish art group is taken to court for “blasphemously” painting Pope St. JP2 breastfeeding a priest. And Brunei implements its first phase of harsh new Shariah penalties. All this and more in April’s global recap.
8 terrible countries for religious freedom the State Department won’t name
By Brian Pellot — April 30, 2014
The U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. Now an independent watchdog is naming and shaming the State Department, saying its list should be doubled. Here’s a rundown of religious freedom violations in those overlooked eight.
Britain’s Baroness Berridge seeks global coalition on religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — April 23, 2014
Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, chair of the U.K. All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom, explains why she's working with allies in the U.S., Brazil, South Africa and beyond to promote global religious freedom.
USCIRF Vice Chair Katrina Lantos Swett calls for a global coalition on religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — March 5, 2014
Katrina Lantos Swett, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, says religious liberty is a canary in the coal mine, one we ignore at our own peril.
Obama alludes to atheists, gays at National Prayer Breakfast speech on religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — February 6, 2014
President Barack Obama’s National Prayer Breakfast speech packed a world of religious freedom woes into 12 short minutes. Here’s what you missed, and what it all meant, written in about the same time it took him to deliver the speech.
