One in seven global Christians faces ‘high-level’ persecution: Open Doors report

United States RNS Driven by Islamic extremism, authoritarian regimes and war, high-level persecution and discrimination impacted 380 million Christians around the world in 2024, according to the annual World Watch List report by the evangelical non-profit Open Doors released on Wednesday. The World Watch List ranks the 50 countries where Christians experienced the most persecution […]
US Supreme Court bolsters protections for workers who ask for religious accommodations

Washington DC, US AP The Supreme Court on Thursday used the case of a Christian mail carrier who did not want to work Sundays to solidify protections for workers who ask for religious accommodations. In a unanimous decision the justices made clear that workers who ask for accommodations, such as taking the Sabbath off, should have their […]
Modi’s denial of discrimination against minorities in India is a lie, activists say

Washington DC, US Reuters Narendra Modi’s denial that discrimination against minorities exists in India contradicts thorough documentation by rights advocates, according to activists disappointed by President Joe Biden’s embrace of the Indian Prime Minister. Asked at a press conference with Biden on Thursday what steps he was willing to take to “improve the rights of Muslims […]
Narendra Modi denies religious discrimination exists in India

Washington DC, US Reuters Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied that discrimination against minorities existed under his government during a press conference with US President Joe Biden on Thursday. Rights groups and the State Department have made detailed allegations of abuses of minorities, dissidents and journalists in India. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during […]
California teacher says Bright Horizons fired her for exercising religious beliefs – lawsuit

Los Angeles, US RNS A Southern California teacher has sued Bright Horizons Children’s Center, an international childcare program, claiming religious discrimination after she said she was terminated for refusing to read children’s books promoting same-sex marriage. Nelli Parisenkova, who was an associate teacher at Bright Horizons in Studio City for four years, said she’s a […]
In the US, ex-Disney workers sue, claiming religious discrimination

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US AP Three former employees have sued Walt Disney World, saying they were fired after refusing to wear face masks and get the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons, according to a lawsuit. Barbara Andreas, Stephen Cribb and Adam Pajer said in the lawsuit filed on 30th June that Disney discriminated […]
List Afghanistan as religious liberty violator, report urges US State Department

United States RNS The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended that Afghanistan be added to the State Department’s list of worst religious freedom violators, citing the changes that resulted when the Taliban took control of the country last year. The federal panel said in its annual report released on Monday that the regime change […]
Australian Government to introduce religious discrimination legislation into federal parliament this week

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will introduce legislation into federal parliament on 25th November that makes discrimination on the grounds of religious belief unlawful across several areas of society, including employment. It’s expected a vote on the Bill could take place next week, with a Senate inquiry to consider the laws before they are enacted. […]
Religious freedom advocacy calls for re-elected Indonesian President to defend religious freedom as a “priority”
Religious freedom advocacy CSW has called on recently re-elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo to defend religious freedom as a “priority” of his second term in office and to make greater efforts to counter religious extremism and intolerance. In a report released on Wednesday, the UK-based organisation praised the smooth conduct of what was one of […]
Essay: Why Australia needs a religious discrimination act

University of Western Australia law lecturer RENAE BARKER, in an article first published on The Conversation, puts forward the arguments in favour of a federal Religious Discrimination Act in Australia…