(Christian Institute) — A leading private school is discussing plans to introduce a gender-neutral uniform policy. Highgate School in North London has proposed allowing students to “mix-and-match” their uniforms. The proposal comes amid constant pressure from activists encouraging children to question their gender identity. At present, girls may wear trousers or skirts, but boys are […]
(World Watch Monitor) — The medical superintendent of a hospital in Pakistan has been accused of forcing its Christian staff to memorize Quranic verses. Article 20 of the Pakistan Constitution guarantees that no-one can be forced into any religious practice or belief against his/her own faith. Dr. Muhammad Sarfaraz was appointed Medical Superintendent of Government […]
(Evangelical Focus) — Evangelical Christians in Northern Italy are determined to find a solution for the closure of their places of worship by local authorities. In the last three years, 27 places of worship were closed in the region of Lombardy, which affected around forty communities, considering that sometimes two or three churches meet in […]
XIAMEN, Fujian (ChinaAid) — Authorities in China’s coastal Fujian province banned a church, accusing its members of “establishing religious sites” without approval and “collaborating with Korea.” In a notice, authorities accused the River of Life Berean Church and the Bereans Research Institute of Theology of having Korean connections and setting up illegal religious meeting places. […]
Jakarta (ANTARA News) — U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph Donovan, Jr., has stated that blasphemy laws are jeopardizing the freedom of religion, expression, assembly and press. He made the statement in Jakarta on Wednesday in response to the recent decision of the North Jakarta District Court, which found Jakarta Governor, Basuki Purnama, guilty of blasphemy against […]
JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – A pastor and another Christian serving a 12-year sentence in Sudan were freed today after they were granted a presidential pardon, sources said. Hassan Abdelrahim Tawor had been in prison since his arrest in December 2015, as was Abdulmonem Abdumawla of Darfur. They were convicted on baseless charges of […]
(Reuters) — Jakarta’s Christian governor has been sentenced to two years in jail for blasphemy, a harsher-than-expected ruling critics fear will embolden hardline Islamist forces to challenge secularism in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. Tuesday’s guilty verdict for Basuki Tjahaja Purnama comes amid concern about the growing influence of Islamist groups, who organized mass […]
LONDON — The U.K. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of a Christian family that was ordered to pay damages to a homosexual rights activist for declining to write the words “support gay marriage” on a cake. “The fact that the Supreme Court is willing to hear arguments is very encouraging and reflects […]
MANAGUA — A young Nicaraguan minister and four of his members have been sentenced to 30 years in prison after a woman died following an exorcism attempt that resulted in burns on more than 80 percent of her body. “The suffering that Trujillo was subjected to is something no human being should go through,” said […]
HYDERABAD, India (Morning Star News) – A pastor in eastern India’s Bihar state has lost his hearing after Hindu extremists assaulted him outside his home on church premises last month, sources said. Doctors at a Hajipur government hospital determined the loss of hearing and wounds on Sikandar Kumar’s body were a result of being beaten with […]