Bill criminalizing child marriage in Pakistan rejected as ‘un-Islamic’
Pakistan’s top Islamic body on Tuesday (May 27) rejected a bill that seeks to criminalize child marriages in Islamabad, describing it as “un-Islamic.”
Religious Freedom
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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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Bill to curb child marriages passes parliament in Pakistan
Pakistan’s parliament on Monday (May 19) passed a significant bill aiming to curb, discourage and eventually eradicate child marriages in the federal capital by raising the legal age of marriage for both sexes to 18 years.
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Islamist youth gang in France threatens Catholic priest
By Jack BethelA gang of Islamist youths in France shouting the jihadist slogan “Allah Akbar [God is greater]” this month threatened a Catholic priest and vowed to burn down his church building before fleeing.
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Christians among Rohingya refugees cast into sea
By Edward RossAn estimated 15 Christians were among at least 40 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar (Burma) detained in New Delhi that the Indian navy on May 8 threw into the sea, the AP reported.
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Muslims torture Christian to death in Pakistan, brother says
Muslims in Pakistan, including a former police officer, on Monday (May 12) tortured a Christian laborer to death over a theft accusation, the victim’s brother said.
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Christian father in Pakistan acquitted of blasphemy charges
A judge in Pakistan on Saturday (May 10) acquitted a Christian of blasphemy and terrorism charges, noting that prosecutors had “miserably failed” to establish its case against him, his attorney said.
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Christians driven from homes in India threatened with death
Villagers practicing tribal religion who assaulted 11 Christian families and drove 10 of them from their homes in central India last month for practicing their faith have threatened to kill them if they return, sources said.
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Americans' trust in the church rebounding after seeing record lows: Poll
Public trust in the church as an institution has risen after three years of stagnation, with 36% of Americans now saying they have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in it. The shift, recorded in Gallup’s latest survey on the topic, marks the first significant increase since 2020.
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