blasphemy
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.
Journalists ‘tiptoe through land mines’ of reporting on religious freedom at RNS event in D.C.
By Brian Pellot — April 18, 2014
An all-star panel of journalists and media experts with experience in China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Denmark explored the red lines they face covering religion at a recent RNS/Newseum event in Washington, D.C. Watch the full discussion here.
Just how crazy is Saudi Arabia? 9 WTF headlines from March alone
By Brian Pellot — March 28, 2014
As President Obama visits the land of cheap oil and oppression today, he needs to know one thing. On the nutty scale between Charlie Sheen and Amanda Bynes, Saudi Arabia is off-the-charts Dennis Rodman insane. Here’s a quick rundown of this month’s most absurd Saudi headlines showing just how crazy crazy can be.
RNS EVENT: Journalism Between Red Lines: Religion Reporting in a World of Conflict
By Brian Pellot — March 18, 2014
Join reporters and media experts April 9 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., as we discuss some of the red lines journalists face covering religion around the world.
Katy Perry’s mistake * Brunei’s Allah ban * God’s Constitution: Religious Freedom Recap Feb. 24 – March 3
By Brian Pellot — March 3, 2014
Katy Perry destroys “Allah” in a music video, then dissolves the incident completely amid backlash. Brunei bans non-Muslims from using “Allah” and 18 other holy words. And Tom DeLay tells us Allah, A.K.A. God, wrote the Constitution. S/he just never got around to signing it.
The business case for religious freedom: Q&A with Brian J. Grim
By Brian Pellot — February 28, 2014
We often hear about religious freedom in the context of human rights and national security. Brian J. Grim, founding president of the new Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, argues that religious freedom is just as important for mom and pop shops and global economies.
Pakistan faces criticism for harsh blasphemy law
By Naveed Ahmad — February 19, 2014
(RNS) The growing misuse of the blasphemy law has riled some Pakistanis and, increasingly, foreign powers.
Authors protest Sochi Olympics * Jews flee France * Comic heckles Christ: Religious Freedom Recap: Feb. 3-10
By Brian Pellot — February 10, 2014
Big-name authors are protesting Russia’s blasphemy and anti-gay laws. More French Jews are migrating to Israel amid rising anti-Semitism. And an Aussie comic who resembles Jesus is stirring up controversy with his Come Heckle Christ show.
COMMENTARY: Blasphemy charges pervert Islam’s teachings
By Qasim Rashid — February 3, 2014
(RNS) Despite widespread blasphemy charges, universal freedom of conscience lies at the heart of Islam.
‘Blasphemers’ released * Football baptisms * Boozing Mormons: Religious Freedom Recap: Jan. 27 – Feb. 3
By Brian Pellot — February 3, 2014
Good news for jailed atheists in Tunisia and Indonesia. A high school football coach in South Carolina is ordered to stop baptizing players. And Mormons weren’t always the teetotalers they are today. Bottoms up!
Why a band of American heathens is fighting to protect atheists — and Christians — abroad
By Brian Pellot — January 30, 2014
The Center for Inquiry’s Michael DeDora explains why his secular group is teaming up with unlikely allies on the Christian right to fight for freedom of expression around the world.
Nazi ban * Blasphemy in Greece * Anti-gay Africa: Religious Freedom Recap: Jan. 20-27
By Brian Pellot — January 27, 2014
Israel considers a ban on Nazi symbols. Greece evokes its blasphemy laws to jail a man for poking fun of a monk on Facebook. And anti-gay laws are passed or challenged in Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi.
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.
