An explosive journalistic report claims Japanese Communists played a key role in fueling hostility against the anti-Communist religious group.
From the World
California and Confession. 1. A Catholic Victory—Which Did Not Solve All Problems
In 2019, Catholics managed to stop a draft law that would have opened a breach in the confessional privilege. But they left a problem unsolved.
Spain: A Hate Speech Campaign Against the Jehovah’s Witnesses
An association calls for a Russian-style ban of the JWs in Spain. The Witnesses have sued for defamation, but the association is supported by most local media.
Pakistanis Accused of Blasphemy Persecuted Abroad as Well
Blogger Ahmed Waqas Goraya now lives in the Netherlands. He says the long arm of Pakistan is coming for him—and many others.
Brazil: Statue of Legendary Candomblé Priestess Set on Fire in Salvador
Mãe Stella de Oxóssi died in 2018. Her statue had been repeatedly vandalized by Christian fundamentalists and has now been burned.
In the Shadow of Russia: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Central Asia
Scholars from different countries discussed how Russian influence created serious problems of religious liberty, although there are also signs of improvement.
Pakistan: An Islamic Republic with a Diplomatic Sexual Abuse Problem
After International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, a reflection on recent incidents involving Pakistani male diplomats.
Novopashin Confirms: “Russian Anti-Cultists Are Still Part of FECRIS”
The names of the Russian anti-cult organizations disappeared from the European federation’s website after the invasion of Ukraine. Now they confess they are still part of FECRIS.
Ahmadi Graves Desecrated in Pakistan—Again
Dead or alive, members of the religious minority continue to be persecuted.
Russian Orthodox Church Spokesperson: “Ukraine Cannot Be Independent”
Father Alexander Volkov, executive editor of the official organ of the Moscow Patriarchate, called Ukraine a “phenomenon” rather than a “country.”