Fifty years ago it was predicted that religion was on its way out, that with increasing literacy and a growing educated middle class in the third world, belief would no longer be necessary. Statistics from 2014 have proven this prediction wrong and if the research recently completed by the Pew Research Center is correct, the…
Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti is campaigning for the UK to refer to the so called “Islamic State” (also referred to as ISIS or ISIL) as “Daesh” in line with other countries around the World, calling on the BBC and the Government to make this change. Prime Minister David Cameron echoed the call in an interview with the…
“If ‘Satanic Islam’ pastor James McConnell goes to jail I will go with him, insists Muslim cleric” is the headline in the Belfast Telegraph, as the Belfast Pastor faces prosecution for a sermon describing Islam as heathen and satanic. The prosecution of Pastor McConnell, under the 2003 Communications Act, has been described as “absurd” by Dr…
The European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance (Intergroup) has presented its first Annual Report on the ‘State of Freedom of Religion or Belief’. The report was presented at an event hosted by the Intergroup in collaboration with United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Speakers included the Chairs of…
A book by investigative journalist Lars Bové of De Tijd newspaper claims that extensive surveillance by the Belgian State Security services on the Church of Scientology, which failed to find evidence of any wrongdoing, suggest a paranoid reaction to the Church and other sects operating in the country. The Security services instigated cancellation of Government contracts with…
For the 30th year the Westminster Interfaith Multi-Faith Pilgrimage for Peace with the Hounslow Friends of Faith in the Hounslow area took place. Two members of the All Faiths Network also participated. Launching the Pilgrimage were MPs Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) and Seema Malhotra MP (Feltham & Heston) along with Councillor Nisar Malik, Mayor…
Canadian governments and churches pursued a policy of “cultural genocide” against the country’s aboriginal people throughout the 20th century, according to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. After seven years of investigation, including the collection of evidence from thousands of people, the commission has called for a new era of forgiveness and understanding even as it…
A group of 15 non-governmental organizations and personalities from around the world have written a joint letter to the US Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that he call for the government of Bahrain to protect the religious freedom of the group of political prisoners known as the Bahrain 13. The letter states “The Bahrain 13 situation…
Muslims in Bihar, in a display of communal fellowship, have donated land to help the fundraising efforts for the massive new Hindu temple in the northern Indian state of Bihar. The land, in the East Champaran district near Patna, was donated in exchange for a nominal amount. Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of the Patna-based trust…
Russia Religion News reports that, after months of preparatory work and a long history of repression, the Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Justice of Russia for the republic of Crimea and Sevastopol has immediately granted all 22 applications for registration submitted by local groups of Jehovah’s Witnesses. From the point of view of international…
