Protests erupt over church construction in Indonesia despite permits
Hundreds of Muslims in Indonesia on July 5 protested the construction of a church building in West Java Province, local media reported.
Religious Freedom
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Opinion
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India’s anti-conversion laws selectively deny freedom of religion for Indians
India’s famed Emperor Ashoka was an ancient convert from Hinduism to Buddhism. He demonstrated that a person is NOT forced by others to convert from one religion to another. Today, “religious conversions are forced,” is the flawed premise of all anti-conversion laws of India. Who could have forced mighty Emperor Ashoka to change his religion? The Emperor’s famous religious conversion was his choice.
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Iran cracks down on any hint of dissent after 12-day war
The situation for Iranian people is more dangerous now than before the recent war with Israel and the United States of America. Even more so for Christians who represent a growing minority religion in the staunchly Shia theocracy. Under threat, the ruling regime has increased its morality terror with brutal force.
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The end of persecution is a realistic hope but in the meantime we lament
In a perfect world, where legal systems hold political power to account and protect minorities against human rights abuses we might expect an end to persecution. But we do not live in a perfect world. People with power continue to act with impunity against those who think and live differently to them. Christians have a way to cope with this reality and a real and living hope for a future free of persecution.
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We need to understand the political winds and remain aware of persecution trends
New political winds are blowing with increasing force as the push-back against globalization grows with increasing nationalisms. The demand to pledge allegiance to something other than God in Christ will put renewed pressure on the Church and we need to be prepared to hold true to our faith. Here is a stern warning that Christians must take to heart.
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Religious rights group in Spain urges EU to create post to combat Christian hate crimes
By Chris EyteA religious rights group in Spain is calling on the president of the European Commission to create a Special Coordinator to combat hate crimes against Christians.
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Pastor, worshipper gunned down in northwest Nigeria
During an evening worship service on Monday (July 7), suspected Islamic extremists gunned down a Baptist pastor and another worshipper and kidnapped a woman in Katsina state, northwest Nigeria.
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Christian rights group in Australia investigated by anti-discrimination commission
By Chris EyteA Christian legal rights group in Australia is under investigation by a regional anti-discrimination commissioner for quoting statements about gender policy made by the national Greens party, a group leader said.
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Muslims who disrupted Christian retreat in Indonesia prosecuted
Despite an agreement Christians in Indonesia signed to refrain from taking legal action against a Muslim group that attacked their retreat site, the West Java governor has urged legal action against the assailants, sources said.
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Two Christians acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan
A court on Tuesday (July 8) acquitted two Christian youths of a false blasphemy charge rooted in a minor dispute, their lawyer said.
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Africa's first International Religious Freedom Summit a 'defining moment', continental 'call to action'
By Ken KagichaKenya hosted the first-ever International Religious Freedom Summit in Africa with delegates from across the globe convening in Nairobi mid-June to deliberate on the theme - Africa Together: A Continental Call to Religious Call to Religious Freedom.
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Tributes pour in for Chuck Girard, Jesus Movement pioneer, ahead of celebration of life on Aug. 26
Personal tributes are pouring in for Chuck Girard, a pioneering voice of the 1970s Jesus Movement whose music shaped contemporary Christian worship, as friends and family prepare to celebrate his life on Aug. 26 in Franklin, Tennessee. Girard, known for his songs “Sometimes Alleluia” and “Rock ’N’ Roll Preacher” and for co-founding the band LoveSong featured in the film Jesus Revolution, died Aug. 11 after a battle with cancer. He was 81.
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