John V. Stevens, Sr., an experienced religious liberty advocate, responds to Professor Crane’s article “A Judeo-Christian Argument for Privatizing Marriage” from his perspective as a Seventh-day Adventist. He has provided his kind permission to reproduce it here. I hope that this can be a springboard for discussion on this important issue facing all Americans regardless…
VIDEO CLIP: Compulsion in religion and the freedom to disbelieve
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 countries. It was recorded at a recent event at the Atlanta Civic Center and you might also recognize the event MC. Ravi Zacharias answers a…
Bush Calls for Religious Freedom in China, Iran (Voice of America)
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 those in China. VOA’s Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush spoke at a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of legislation designed to promote religious freedom around…
China Responds: “China reject’s Bush’s ‘religious freedom’ remarks” and asks him to stop “interfering” in internal affairs (Xinhuanet)
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 view China’s religious condition with a just and objective attitude. “China is a country under the rule of law, and the Chinese government protects its…
Announcing and Enacting Peace in an Age of Empire
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 Jewish people at the time Jesus begins his public ministry. There was a great debate between the various parties of the Jewish people about how…
J. Brent Walker – “Church and State in the USA: Promises and Challenges”
This thought-provoking address was given by J. Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty at the Congress on Religious Liberty in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 28, 2008. It was originally posted on the BJC website (bjcpa.org) and is reposted here in its entirety with permission. Good morning! I appreciate the kind…
Obama Sets Off a Debate on Ties Between Religion and Government (NY Times)
Religion and the politics are experiencing an interesting mix this election season. Peter Steinfels, of the New York Times, explores this mix in the following article: From the New York Times By Peter Steinfels Published: July 5, 2008 On Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama did his best to reclaim for Democrats the idea of partnerships between…
Registrar wins same-sex tribunal (BBC)
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 Christian faith, hailed the decision as a “victory for religious liberty”. The tribunal ruled that Miss Ladele was discriminated against on grounds of religious beliefs…
Largest religious liberty festival to date draws 45,000
Angola: rebuilding country promotes freedom of belief Adventist News Network Some 45,000 Angolans gathered at a sports stadium in Luanda June 28 to celebrate freedom of religion in their country, which is rebuilding in the aftermath of a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002. The festival, the largest to date, followed a three-day religious…
Landowner Of Proposed Muslim Community Site Files Suit Against Town
In Walkersville, Maryland, a landowner who wanted to sell his farm to a Muslim group is suing the town for religious discrimination because they have refused his right to do so. This is a classic case of “NIMBYism” (Not in My Back Yard) where city officials used what sounds like neutral language to carefully make…