Surprising some, on November 13 an old prohibition dating back to 1738 was confirmed. But while the prohibition is the same, the motivations are different.
Op-eds Global
France Plans to Make a Bad Law Worse
The anti-cult About-Picard law is ineffective against real abuses and dangerous for religious liberty. The government wants to make it even more dangerous.
Religious Liberty Situation Deteriorating in Nepal
A report documents increased violence against Christians, fueled by discriminatory laws, although a grassroots interfaith movement offers some hope.
Can Christian Pastors Call Other Religions “Satanic”—Without Going to Jail?
Contradictory Brazilian decisions against priests and ministers demonizing Afro-Brazilian movements test the grey area between freedom of expression and hate speech.
New Proposals to Criminalize Jehovah’s Witnesses’ “Shunning”: Why They Are Wrong
Two British psychologists and one criminologist venture onto a slippery road when they suggest extending provisions about domestic abuse to religion-based “ostracism.”
Kenya: Shakahola Deaths by Fasting Should Not Be Used to Crack Down on All Religions
A Senate Committee’s report creates serious risks for religious liberty after the tragedy of Good News International Church.
The Unification Church Issue in Japan: A Japanese Christian Theologian Speaks. 2. The Other Half of the Truth About the Family Federation
The request of dissolution is based on “half-truths” that are in fact “half-lies.”
The Unification Church Issue in Japan: A Japanese Christian Theologian Speaks. 1. Lies About Abe’s Relations with the Church
The former Prime Minister was assassinated because false information was spread about him.
Argentina: PROTEX’s Dangerous Ideology. How to Fabricate “Victims of Prostitution”
A book by an Argentinian prosecutor criticizes the theory that “all” sex workers are coerced to prostitution. PROTEX goes one step further, seeing prostitutes where there are none.
Freedom of Religion or Belief: Concern About Ill-Founded Accusations of Trafficking in Argentina — A Letter to the Argentinian Authorities
Fighting human trafficking is a worthy enterprise. Weaponizing human trafficking laws to crack down on spiritual minorities and resurrect the dead horse of brainwashing theories is not. Twelve international religious liberty organizations protest.