Tag : Religious Rights
Changlin Church title : China Churches Ordered by Government to Put In Observation Equipment
summary : Government officials in China's Zhejiang Province recently ordered surveillance equipment to be installed in churches so they could more easily monitor church activities, according to local, Christian watchdog sources.
date : Apr 03, 2017 02:42 PM EDT
Wayne Mack title : Judge Sued for Starting Courtroom Sessions With Prayer, Chaplaincy Program
summary : A Texas judge is being sued in federal court by three anonymous plaintiffs and Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, due to his courtroom tradition of having guest pastors and chaplains offer invocations before each session.
date : Mar 24, 2017 09:02 AM EDT
Indiana Senate title : School Prayer Plan Legislation Canceled by Lawmakers
summary : Indiana senators abandoned a legislative proposal that would have mandated time for public prayer during school assemblies, sports competitions and other events, due to questions about how such a policy would affect non-religious students.
date : Mar 23, 2017 05:13 PM EDT
Blasphemy Day title : Atheists for 'Blasphemy Rights Day' Say Criticizing Religion Is Vital Part of Free Speech, Laws for All
summary : Members of an atheist group preparing to observe the upcoming International Blasphemy Rights Day on Friday, Sept. 30, said laws around the world that restrict or punish those who criticize religion take away the rights of atheists, Christians and other people, alike. Center for Inquiry members believe free speech is the foundation on which all other liberties rest. The group has held this annual blasphemy observation since 2009.
date : Sep 27, 2016 03:17 PM EDT
Yvonne Allen title : Christian Woman Sues to Wear Head Scarf for Alabama ID, Told Only Muslims Can
summary : When Yvonne Allen went to renew her Alabama driver's license, she said she wasn't expecting to discuss the Bible. But the trip turned into her defending her Christian beliefs about women covering their heads.
date : Sep 01, 2016 01:08 PM EDT
Humanist Society Scotland handbooks title : Atheist Handbooks Given to Scottish Parents, Pupils to Challenge Religion in Schools
summary : Scottish law requires public schools to host six religious observance sessions a year, although school officials may choose to have more. To counterbalance, representatives of the Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) now are providing to parents who are concerned about religious influence in schools an atheist handbook as a guide for how to challenge teachers.
date : Aug 17, 2016 04:02 PM EDT
St. Basil's Cathedral title : U.S. Churches Vow to Not Leave Russia Even After New Law Makes Evangelizing Illegal
summary : Representatives of several U.S.-based religious denominations rooted in evangelizing and missionary work are choosing to defy the new "Yarovaya laws" laws in Russia that would ban them from proselytizing. The package of laws, billed as anti-terrorism measures, was passed by the Russian Duma, or parliament, on June 24 and signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 7. Leading Russian human rights activists said authorities used an air disaster -- the October bombing of a Russian passenger jet -- as a pretext for an assault on basic freedoms, including religion.
date : Jul 13, 2016 10:02 AM EDT
Cary Gordon title : Iowa Civil Rights Group Issues Apology to Church After First Liberty Demand About Religious Rights
summary : Iowa Civil Rights Commission (CRC) officials issued a response to a demand letter sent by national legal entity First Liberty Institute earlier this week on behalf of Cornerstone World Outreach church in Iowa. The question being debated was whether religious activities by a church are exempt from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
date : Jul 08, 2016 11:54 PM EDT
Joseph Kennedy III title : Rep. Joseph Kennedy III Seeks to Prevent Religious Discrimination Via Do No Harm Act
summary : Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, grandson of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and other Democratic lawmakers this week introduced a new bill to amend the law to stop federal legal claims and state laws that go beyond protecting religious freedom and instead tread on others' constitutional and statutory rights. Backers of the "Do No Harm Act," say the federal "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" was born of good intentions, but went terribly wrong.
date : May 21, 2016 10:34 AM EDT
Missouri State Capitol title : Religious Liberty 'Under Assault' In Missouri, Rally Slated To Support Freedom Amendment
summary : Religious freedom is under assault in Missouri, and it is time to stand up for faith, says Ryan Johnson, president of the Missouri Alliance for Freedom. To that end, a Rally for Religious Freedom is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. The event is a prelude to a vote by House of Representatives on whether Missouri's Religious Freedom Amendment (SJR 39) will be placed on a statewide ballot in August or November.
date : Apr 18, 2016 07:02 PM EDT
God Bless America Pittsburg Kansas Post Office title : 'God Bless America' Signs Flourish after Atheists File Lawsuit Over Kansas Post Office 'God Bless' Banner
summary : A debate regarding various definitions of patriotism was trigged in Pittsburg, Kan., when Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit with the local post office regarding a "God Bless America" banner that post office employees had erected outside of the building after Sept. 11, 2001. When the sign was taken down last month, a local business rushed to print thousands of "God Bless" signs to distribute throughout the community.
date : Feb 08, 2016 12:38 PM EST