religious freedom
From Madonna to Lady Gaga: 10 of the most ‘blasphemous’ pop songs and music videos
By Brian Pellot — November 1, 2013
The dueling queens of pop join Kanye West and John Lennon as some of the biggest names in music whose work has been labeled “blasphemous.”
Suzan Johnson Cook to resign as religious freedom ambassador
By Lauren Markoe — October 16, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) During her on-again off-again nomination battle, Suzan Johnson Cook likened herself to the "Iron Lady," former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher: "Change the name. It's mine now."
Blasphemy! * Sexting statue * ‘Halal’ pork: Religious Freedom Recap: Sept. 30 – Oct. 7
By Brian Pellot — October 7, 2013
Blasphemy rights and wrongs. A religious group in Kansas tries to censor a sexting statue. And the British government is sued for feeding Muslim inmates pork-laced pies.
12 “blasphemous” artworks censored or vandalized by angry believers
By Brian Pellot — October 4, 2013
A New Yorker who recently penned an erotic version of the Bible woke up last week to find “BLASPHMY” spray painted across his front step. From Piss Christ to elephant dung Mary, here’s a look at 12 artworks that have been silenced or destroyed for exploring “blasphemous” themes.
Is religious freedom a ‘God-given’ right? LDS church weighs in with new campaign
By Brian Pellot — September 11, 2013
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' new religious freedom resources emphasize interfaith dialogue and cooperation. But where do nonbelievers fit in? And should we be free to criticize others' faiths?
Ethicist Shaun Casey to oversee religious engagement for State Department
By Lauren Markoe — August 7, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The State Department's new point man on religious engagement is a professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington and a former adviser to President Obama's campaign and other Democrats on outreach to religious voters.
Christians in Sudan face increased hostility
By Fredrick Nzwili — July 16, 2013
(RNS) South Sudan's independence is praised as good for political reasons. But Christians in the north say they are being persecuted. Several churches in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, have been destroyed and others closed down.
COMMENTARY: The truth about religious freedom in the military
By C. Welton Gaddy — July 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Let's be clear: Christians in the military are not under threat of constant, widespread persecution.
Broad coalition says contraception mandate a religious liberty threat
By Adelle M. Banks — July 2, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) A broad coalition spearheaded by Catholics and Southern Baptists is pushing back against the Obama administration’s final contraception mandate rules, calling it a threat to religious liberty for people of all faiths.
Video: Gov. Rick Perry on religious freedom
By Sally Morrow — June 17, 2013
Gov. Rick Perry says "the holidays are coming early this year," as he signs a bill that allows Texas public school students and staff to use traditional holiday greetings and display religious scenes and symbols on school property.
Coalition to protect religious freedom shows its fault lines
By Lauren Markoe — May 30, 2013
(RNS) A national conference on religious freedom reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the coalition that fears an erosion of religious liberty in the U.S.
ANALYSIS: Does religious freedom report need more ‘teeth’?
By Lauren Markoe — May 21, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Watchdogs say the State Department missed a key opportunity to put teeth into its annual assessment of global religious freedom, which was released by Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday.
15 countries cited for religious freedom violations
By Lauren Markoe — April 30, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Fifteen countries make the list of most egregious violators of religious liberty, compiled by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. But some of the most alarming oppression is committed by entities that can hardly be called countries.
Canada names head of religious freedom office
By Ron Csillag — February 19, 2013
TORONTO (RNS) After nearly two years of delay, Canada on Tuesday finally named its ambassador for the Office of Religious Freedom.
Poll shows a double standard on religious liberty
By Lauren Markoe — January 23, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Half of Americans worry that religious freedom in the U.S. is at risk, and about a third say "the gay and lesbian community” is to blame.
