religious freedom
Kansas, Arizona bills reflect national fight over gay rights vs. religious liberty
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — February 21, 2014
(RNS) Fights in Arizona and Kansas about denying services to gays and lesbians mirrors the national debate on whether the religious rights of business owners also extend to their for-profit companies.
US and EU explore cooperation on religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — February 13, 2014
(RNS) Members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom met for the first time with members of the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss a global response to religious freedom violations.
Sikhs stand up to bullying as they try to build understanding
By Lauren Markoe — January 30, 2014
(RNS) Teenager Prabhdeep Suri has been teased mercilessly since he was in kindergarten for the patka he wore on his head, a symbol of his Sikh faith. Now he and other Sikhs are sending the message that discrimination against Sikhs in the U.S. has got to stop.
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.
COMMENTARY: The Catholic case for contraception coverage
By Jon O'Brien — January 23, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Institutions -- both secular and “religious institutions,” as well as “religious organizations” -- do not have the right to claim “consciences” in order to trample on the conscience rights that properly belong to their employees.
The pope and the president: What to look for in the Obama-Francis summit
By David Gibson — January 21, 2014
(RNS) What will the two leaders talk about? What issues will they avoid? With Pope Francis, anything is possible, but here are some initial ideas on how the summit could play out.
COMMENTARY: Obama’s religious freedom record is strong
By Judd Birdsall — January 21, 2014
(RNS) Does the current administration stand for religious freedom globally or does the delay in appointing an ambassador cast doubt on that stand? My answer: Yes.
5.3 billion people face harsh religious freedom restrictions
By Brian Pellot — January 14, 2014
(RNS) Most of the world's population (76 percent), lives in countries with high levels of social and government restrictions on religion, according to a new Pew Research Center report.
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.
Christians in Libya cast anxious eye at religious freedom
By Fredrick Nzwili — January 10, 2014
(RNS) Church leaders in Libya remain hopeful that Christians in the mostly Muslim country will be allowed to practice their faith, even as the country appears to move towards Shariah law.
Administration, nuns battle over contraception mandate at Supreme Court
By David Gibson — January 3, 2014
(RNS) The Obama administration and faith-based foes of a rule that employer health insurance policies provide free birth control coverage continued back and forth legal filings on Friday (Jan 3.), though with an odd twist: The Justice department says an order of nuns is exempt from the mandate, while the nuns’ lawyers say they are not.
Report: 8 countries on UN Human Rights Council restrict religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 31, 2013
LONDON (RNS) A new report says eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating local laws that restrict freedom of religion or belief.
Frank Wolf, champion of religious freedom, will end congressional career
By Lauren Markoe — December 17, 2013
(RNS) Rep. Frank Wolf, one of the loudest and most persistent voices in Congress for the right of people around the globe to practice their religions freely, will not seek an 18th term.
U.K. minister Sayeeda Warsi calls on West to protect Christian minorities
By Kevin Eckstrom — November 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said protecting the religious freedom of minorities is a responsibility of all faiths. "It shouldn't just be for Christians to speak for Christians, and Jews to speak for Jews, and Muslims to speak for Muslims."
Supreme Court wrestles with how ‘religious’ prayer should be at public meetings
By Lauren Markoe — November 6, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) "Give me an example of a prayer that would be acceptable to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists,” Justice Samuel Alito asked the lawyer representing two women who did not like Christian prayers at town meetings. “Hindus. Give me an example of a prayer. Wiccans, Baha'i.”
