A comparatively rare enforcement of Article 298-A of the Criminal Code shows that a private “Internet police” looks for blasphemy everywhere.
Massimo Introvigne
USCIRF: Religious Liberty Worse than Ever in Russia and Russian-Occupied Ukraine
Two well-written reports highlight the systematic persecution of religious minorities by the Putin regime, and its crimes against religion in Ukraine.
The Decurions, Parliamentarianism, and Tai Ji Men
The local assemblies of “decuriones” made the Roman Empire great and victorious. Tax injustice destroyed them—and the Empire itself.
The Bloody Anti-Cult International: Novopashin Goes to China
A little bird sent to Bitter Winter an interesting document. Reportedly, the leading Russian anti-cultist is going to China in August to support the repression of Falun Gong.
Süleymancılar: Russia Cracks Down on Turkish Sufi Organization
Accused by anti-cultists of being a “pseudo-Islamic cult,” the group has two million members in Turkey and a distinguished history.
The Wagner Revolt: Did the Orthodox Church Save Putin?
Its role should not be exaggerated. But surely Patriarch Kirill and other key bishops let the Russians know that they continue to see Putin as an ally and a guarantee.
Pakistan, Christian Woman Gangraped and Killed for Refusing to Convert to Islam
Shazia Bibi was raped and murdered on June 6 in Lahore, but the news was only reported on July 1. The police said the murder was “not religious.” Anglican Bishops disagree.
Putin Condemns Qur’an-Burning in Sweden: Did He Also Organize It?
There are some reasons to suspect that Russian intelligence had something to do with an incident reinforcing Turkish opposition to Sweden’s NATO bid.
French State Council Confirms Hijab Ban in Soccer Games, Against Public Rapporteur’s Advise
The opinion of the “rapporteur public” is generally followed, but the female pro-hijab soccer players prefer to wait for the final decision before proclaiming victory.
Nicaragua, Covering Catholic Procession Enough for Journalist to Go to Jail
Victor Ticay is in jail since April 6. On June 22, the regime confirmed he was declared guilty on June 9, but to what penalty he was sentenced is a state secret.
Massimo Introvigne
Massimo Introvigne (born June 14, 1955 in Rome) is an Italian sociologist of religions. He is the founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), an international network of scholars who study new religious movements. Introvigne is the author of some 70 books and more than 100 articles in the field of sociology of religion. He was the main author of the Enciclopedia delle religioni in Italia (Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy). He is a member of the editorial board for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion and of the executive board of University of California Press' Nova Religio. From January 5 to December 31, 2011, he has served as the "Representative on combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination, with a special focus on discrimination against Christians and members of other religions" of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). From 2012 to 2015 he served as chairperson of the Observatory of Religious Liberty, instituted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to monitor problems of religious liberty on a worldwide scale.