International

“China’s ruling Communist Party is suspicious of any cause that could compete with its authority, including organized religion. Officially, the party allows worship only at registered churches belonging to a state-controlled organization; nonregistered places of worship are closely monitored. The party also bans foreign chaplains’ holding services without government permission or proselytizing on Chinese soil.”

By Jonathan Gallagher, Ph.D. – “For a country to move from general tolerance to extreme intolerance in just a few short years speaks of the power of religion, and its ready exploitation by those seeking political authority and control. The fuel is human competition. For where there is enough food, land, water and other resources, the need to fight other communities is much reduced. But as the world becomes increasingly overpopulated, then such scenarios can only increase. Religion is so close to the heart of how any society defines itself that those seeking political power and worldly goals will readily use such a potent weapon. The exploitation of religious belief is not new—witness the jihads and crusades from history—but its greatly increased impact and extent will be the dominant factors for the foreseeable future.”

Human rights concerns are underlying the pageantry of the Beijing Olympics where persecution against certain religious groups continues.   Read the full article by Clifford Coonan at http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news-and-features/bush-steps-up-pressure-on-china-with-call-for-religious-freedom-890295.html Here are some […]

EXCERPTS FROM:  http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jTCaQ-QMoHDqK5mk7ao7ryoZGzMw WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President George W. Bush plans to attend church while in China for the opening of the Olympic Games next month, and will speak […]

This is a fascinating article about the relationship between church and state in Namibia.  http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/July/letters/08193A2750.html EXCERPTS: Churches were major driving forces in getting Namibia’s independence on the formal international agenda […]

Dr. Ravi Zacharias speaks out in support of religious freedom and against attempts to create theocracy.  He also tells a couple of very interesting stories about religious freedom in other […]

By Paula Wolfson White House 14 July 2008 U.S. President George Bush says he will continue to press for greater religious freedom in his meetings with world leaders – including […]

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao on Wednesday rejected U.S. President George W. Bush’s remarks concerning religion freedom in China, urging the United States to […]

By Ryan Bell   Introduction/Story Who are the children of God? Who will inherit the kingdom of God? These are the questions that are heavy on the minds of the […]

From the BBC – A marriage registrar was harassed for refusing to conduct same-sex ceremonies, a tribunal has ruled. Lillian Ladele, who said the civil partnership ceremonies went against her […]