freedom of expression
British borough apologizes for removing bus ads promoting Franklin Graham festival
By Yonat Shimron — July 16, 2021
(RNS) — A judge ruled the removal of the ads was an unjustified interference in freedom of expression and ordered the borough and its transportation provider to post an apology.
8 ‘blasphemous’ books banned for offending believers
By Brian Pellot — September 29, 2015
The Bible and Fifty Shades of Grey share more than a few raunchy sex scenes. On Banned Books Week and International Blasphemy Rights Day, these eight titles are still too hot to handle.
The UAE’s new anti-discrimination law is a wolf in sheep’s clothing
By Brian Pellot — July 21, 2015
Anti-discrimination laws should protect people. The United Arab Emirates’ new law, issued by royal decree, criminalizes the criticism of religions and ideas. It should be scrapped.
United against violence in the name of religion…up to a point
By Brian Pellot — July 20, 2015
If freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief are mutually reinforcing rights, why are we still arguing over the rules of engagement and sidelining key stakeholders?
Gay marriage * Ramadan deaths * Abortion drone: June’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — July 2, 2015
America remains buried under three feet of glitter. More than 1,000 people have died during a Ramadan heatwave in Karachi. And an “abortion drone” was spotted dropping pills over conservative Poland. Read on.
Non-banned ‘banned’ books and Malaysia’s unjust Islamic justice system
By Brian Pellot — March 20, 2015
In May 2012, Malaysia’s religious authorities raided a bookstore and confiscated “Allah, Liberty and Love.” A store manager was charged for selling the "banned" book, which was only banned six days after the raid. Three years later and she’s still being hounded.
After Myanmar’s ‘Buddha headphones’ conviction, the worst may be yet to come
By Brian Pellot — March 18, 2015
Jail time and hard labor for sharing an image of the Buddha wearing headphones is a shocking violation of free speech. In Myanmar, I’m far from shocked.
Anti-Semitism * Anti-sex * Anti-women: February’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — March 2, 2015
Cold, short February was jam-packed with some mega atrocities on the religious freedom front. Count your lucky stars it's March, and hope for a better month ahead.
Brittany Maynard dies * ISIS crucifies teen * Sneaky bat mitzvah: October’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — November 3, 2014
Brittany Maynard ends her life. ISIS fighters crucify a Syrian teen for taking photos. And Women of the Wall host a sneaky bat mitzvah in Jerusalem. This and more in this month’s recap.
The road to sedition: Malaysia and Myanmar crackdown on dissent
By Brian Pellot — October 21, 2014
On my (lack of) freedom trail across Asia, fresh sedition and defamation charges are pressuring journalists and activists to self-censor government criticism or face hefty consequences.
On International Blasphemy Rights Day, I stand with Raif Badawi and against Saudi Arabia
By Brian Pellot — September 30, 2014
Last year a Saudi court convicted Raif Badawi of “insulting Islam” for setting up a website to foster open discussion of religion. He now faces 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes. Badawi is one of many victims of victimless thought crimes who need our support.
A right not to be offended? Atheists say ‘No thanks’
By Brian Pellot — August 12, 2014
The World Humanist Congress adopted a declaration Sunday proclaiming, “There is no right not to be offended, or not to hear contrary opinions.” Yet nearly 100 countries have laws banning blasphemy, apostasy and defamation of religion.
Oxford Declaration on Freedom of Thought and Expression (full text)
By Brian Pellot — August 12, 2014
Posting this in full now. I’ll comment in a subsequent post. The Oxford Declaration on Freedom of Thought and Expression The 2014 World Humanist Congress, gathered in Oxford, UK, on 8-10 August 2014, adopted the following declaration on freedom of thought and expression: All around the world and at all times, it is freedom of […]
Richard Dawkins keeps digging on ‘mild’ date rape and pedophilia
By Brian Pellot — August 11, 2014
Richard Dawkins told the World Humanist Congress in Oxford that “mild pedophilia” is not as bad as “something that would scar you for life.” Attempting to use logic and reason to rank others’ emotional scars --- now that’s irrational.
No solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will tear down the region’s gender walls
By Brian Pellot — June 5, 2014
Gender walls, both literal and figurative, are so entrenched in the Levant that no solution to the region's geopolitical conflicts, no matter how miraculous, will be enough to tear them down.
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