religious freedom
Trump’s religious liberty order slammed as ‘pretty much nothing’
By David Gibson — May 4, 2017
(RNS) ‘Ivanka and Jared won. We lost,’ as one Christian conservative said.
The ’Splainer: What is the Johnson Amendment and why did Trump target it?
By Kimberly Winston — May 4, 2017
(RNS) Many religious leaders were eager to see this 1954 law weakened. Others wanted to see it preserved.
Religious liberty executive order draws mixed reviews
By Adelle M. Banks — May 4, 2017
(RNS) The executive order signed on the National Day of Prayer draws fire from the left and mixed reviews from conservatives, many of whom say the order doesn’t go far enough.
US commission: Russia a major violator of religious freedom
By Lauren Markoe — April 26, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) A dissenting report criticizes the commission for failing to investigate Israel.
As a Catholic priest, I am against an executive order on religious liberty
By Bryan N. Massingale — April 26, 2017
NEW YORK (RNS) Leaked drafts of President Trump’s order suggest it will be read by many as a broad assault upon LGBT rights and a license to deny basic services to same-sex couples.
Pope Francis faces another delicate — and dangerous — task in Egypt trip
By Christopher Lamb — April 26, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff's visit this weekend is brief but rich with references to pivotal — and bloody — episodes from history that continue to loom today.
Republicans in Congress push Trump for religious liberty executive order
By Eliza Collins — April 25, 2017
WASHINGTON (USA Today) More than 50 GOP House members want the president to fulfill a campaign promise to scale back Obama-era protections for gays and lesbians. The White House says it's complicated.
America is abandoning independent Christians in China
By Chloë Starr — April 21, 2017
(RNS) American Christians who voted in a president who fails to do the minimum to secure religious freedom abroad have some serious soul-searching to do before their sisters and brothers around the world.
In America, religious groups should pay their own way
By Barry Lynn — April 18, 2017
(RNS) A pending case at the U.S. Supreme Court could dramatically affect the religious freedom of all Americans.
Jehovah’s Witnesses fear Russian government may ban them
By Lauren Markoe — March 28, 2017
(RNS) An imminent ruling by that country's Supreme Court could mean Jehovah's Witnesses may not practice their faith.
EU court allows companies to ban headscarves. What will be the impact on Muslim women?
By Z. Fareen Parvez — March 19, 2017
(The Conversation) The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that interprets EU law issued a landmark judgment on March 14 that upheld the right of private companies in EU member countries to enact policies barring employees from wearing “religious, political and philosophical signs” in the interest of “neutrality.” Such visible signs range from […]
Russian court to consider ban on ‘extremist’ Jehovah’s Witnesses HQ
By Dasha Afanasieva — March 17, 2017
(Reuters) The religious organization is known for its foreign ministries as well as its door-to-door campaigns, but has had problems for years with Russian authorities, who view it as a pernicious cult, an allegation it denies.
Trump’s missing agenda in Congress speech? Moral issues
By David Gibson — March 1, 2017
(RNS) He won praise from pundits and the public for appearing 'presidential' in his first address to Congress. But a few religious conservatives are upset that Trump ignored their concerns.
Bavaria pushes ahead with burqa ban as elections loom
By Reuters — February 22, 2017
(Reuters) The move comes seven months before a federal election where immigration will be a prominent issue and the Bavarian conservatives that govern the regionare worried about losing votes to the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
US religious freedom report on India rejected as ‘Hinduphobia’
By Bhavya Dore — February 17, 2017
MUMBAI (RNS) The USCIRF report cited India’s anti-conversion laws, cow protection legislation and the treatment of Dalits, or so-called untouchables, as points of concern.
