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Thu, 23 Dec 2021
Australian faith school teacher shares gay students’ struggles with vile bullying
A former teacher at an Australian Christian school became emotional while recalling how horrific bullying of a 12-year-old gay student twice drove them to attempt suicide.
Q News
Saudi Arabia's top religious body declares homosexuality 'one of the most heinous crimes' and gay people 'a disgrace in this world and the next'
In a statement released today, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh said the kingdom, which hosts Islam's two holiest sites, categorically rejects homosexuality, even as Riyadh seeks to transform its ultraconservative image amid a modernisation drive.
Daily Mail
Wed, 22 Dec 2021
The Battle Over Bacon
Article on ethical farming mentions recent NSS research on labelling meat produced by non-stun slaughter.
Forbes
Ali Harbi Ali pleads not guilty to murder of MP David Amess
The man accused of stabbing to death the Conservative MP Sir David Amess has pleaded not guilty to his murder and planning a terrorist attack for more than two years.
Guardian
Defending Dissent
It is compassionate to sympathise with someone who is upset but this should never be a matter for the police. This principle was affirmed on Monday in a wise judgment by the Court of Appeal.
The Times*
Scots white nationalist who idolised mass killers appealing conviction for terrorist offences
A Scots white nationalist who idolised mass killers and spouted vile hatred of Muslims is appealing against his conviction for terrorist offences.
Daily Record
Murder charges urged over South African circumcision deaths
The deaths of at least 30 teenagers from botched circumcisions and dehydration in a secretive South African rite of passage have prompted calls for murder charges to be brought against those responsible.
The Times*
Catholic diocese liable for priest's abuse
Ballarat's Catholic diocese has been found liable for the sexual abuse of a young boy by one of its priests.
Canberra Times
A new case for Christianity is rising from New Atheism’s ashes
"I considered this last week, on the 10th anniversary of the death of the writer Christopher Hitchens. Not all his ideological positions have stood the test of time, but his witty, barbed and gloriously versatile writing – on everything from Harry Potter to Hillary Clinton – certainly has."
The Telegraph*
Muslim families like mine aren’t ‘hijacking’ Christmas. We’re celebrating it our way
"Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to Christmas Day. Though I was brought up in a Muslim household, we still get together as a family and celebrate. Of course, it doesn't have the same significance for us as the two Islamic festivals of Eid, which require weeks of planning, hours of cooking – and new outfits."
Mail Online
Tue, 21 Dec 2021
Man who wore Palestine terror group clothing in Golders Green avoids jail
A man who wore T-shirts supporting banned Palestinian groups among Jewish communities in north London has been handed a suspended jail sentence.
Jewish News
Court of Appeal rules police's definition of a 'hate incident' is unlawful and had 'chilling effect' on freedom of expression
A former police officer has won a Court of Appeal challenge over police guidance on 'hate incidents' after claiming it unlawfully interferes with the right to freedom of expression.
Daily Mail
ISIS-linked extremists decapitate Christian pastor before handing his severed head to his wife to show authorities in Mozambique
Suspected ISIS-linked extremists have decapitated a Christian pastor before handing his severed head to his wife to show authorities in Mozambique.
Daily Mail
Mother and baby home survivors want redress scheme scrapped after High Court victory
In a hugely significant victory for campaigners, the High Court has declared that the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation treated survivors unlawfully.
Irish Examiner
Islamic extremists sidestep Facebook’s content police
Photos of beheadings, extremist propaganda and violent hate speech related to Islamic State and the Taliban were shared for months within Facebook groups over the past year despite the social networking giant's claims it had increased efforts to remove such content.
Politico
Troops find religious exemption for vaccines unattainable
More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.
The Associated Press
Christian schools defend right to discipline divorced or gay staff
Two Christian education groups say the ability to discipline a teacher who becomes divorced, is unfaithful to their partner, or enters a same-sex relationship is an example of how faith schools could exercise their right to employ staff who reflect their religious values.
WA Today
United Arab Emirates to end censorship of cinematic releases
The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it will no longer censor films released in cinemas, the country's latest effort to boost its brand as a liberal hub attractive to foreigners.
The Associated Press
Satanic Temple’s holiday display coming back to Illinois Capitol Rotunda
The Illinois state Capitol Rotunda will feature a controversial holiday art display from the Satanic Temple that will stand alongside other religious exhibits.
The New York Post
Mon, 20 Dec 2021
Closure of Wigan primary school may break the law, council is cautioned – NSS quoted
The closure of a community school in Wigan may be unlawful, the National Secular Society has warned.
Wigan Today
Religious weddings to be allowed outdoors
Religious weddings will take place outdoors for the first time under plans to be published by ministers today.
The Times*
Board of Deputies protests to Archbishop of Canterbury over comments about Christians in Israel
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has called for a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to discuss "deeply troubling" passages in an article on Christians in Israel he co-wrote for this week's Sunday Times.
The Jewish Chronicle
Ireland: Hospital accused of ignoring calls over anti-abortion group’s protests
The UL Hospitals Group has been accused of not taking complaints about anti-abortion protests outside the gates of Limerick Maternity Hospital seriously.
Limerick Post
Austria's parliament legalises assisted suicide
Austrian lawmakers have approved a law that legalises assisted suicide for seriously ill people, subject to tight rules.
Deutsche Welle
US: Christian photographer told she can’t refuse gay weddings
A Christian wedding photographer who sued the state of New York rather than take photos at gay weddings has lost her case.
Pink News
NYC’s next comptroller says he will push Haredi Jewish schools to teach secular subjects
Brad Lander vows to do everything in his power; law says ultra-Orthodox kids have a right to a secular education, but opponents say it infringes on religious freedom.
The Times of Israel
Man beaten to death for 'sacrilege' attempt at Sikh Golden Temple in India
Police in the Indian city of Amritsar say a man suspected of trying to commit a sacrilegious act at Sikhism's holiest shrine has been beaten to death.
BBC
Outraged Iranian pet owners kick back against new proposal to ban all pets
Iranian animal lovers have ridiculed a new law that could ban people from owning pets after the country's government floated legislation aimed at protecting the country from "unclean" animals.
The Telegraph*
‘Selfies with the Taliban? Come on, let’s never forget their repression of women’
Girls are barred from school, women can't work. But too much reporting and diplomacy fails to note their absence, says Emma Graham-Harrison.
The Guardian
Nigerian lawmakers reject bill seeking gender equality
Nigerian senators have for the third time in five years rejected a bill that sought to promote gender equality, citing "socio-cultural and Islamic concerns."
The Associated Press
‘Nonbelievers across Africa risk freedom and family support’
According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, 25 African nations — nearly half the continent's sovereign states — have statutes outlawing blasphemy.
The Associated Press
Fri, 17 Dec 2021
Christians close to falling below 50pc in England for first time
The number of Christians in England is close to falling below 50 per cent for the first time, as atheists now account for more than a third of "faith" groups.
The Telegraph*
ISIS terror mum who ran away to Syria 'regrets every last thing' after prison
Runaway Jihadi bride Tareena Shakil and her son were seen posing with guns after being smuggled across desert land into Syria.
Birmingham Live
Warning over ‘mini-caliphate’ jihadist camps in Syria
Britain and other nations face an increasing security threat from foreign fighters held in "insecure" Syrian camps that amount to a "mini-caliphate" for jihadists, security experts have warned.
The Times*
Terminally-ill gran wants to choose how she dies and dreams of peaceful cancer death
Norma Rivers, 69, is urging ministers to back the Assisted Dying Bill in Scotland as she fears she will die in agony from her blood cancer.
Daily Record
Barrister urges Prime Minister to resettle 200 Afghan Christians under 'death threat'
A Cambridge barrister is urging the Prime Minister to create a clear pathway for 200 Christians to flee Afghanistan, and the death threat hanging over them, four months after the Taliban takeover.
Ely Standard
Welby: Go to church for Christmas, unless guidance changes
Worship of God is a necessity, says Archbishop.
Church Times*
French parliament bans LGBT+ conversion therapy
France's parliament voted on Tuesday to ban so-called conversion therapy, joining a handful of countries that have taken steps to outlaw practices that seek to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Thomson Reuters Foundation
US FDA permanently allows mail-order abortion pills
US drug regulators have approved mail-order abortion pills, making permanent a temporary rule change that was approved this year during the pandemic.
BBC
US hits China with new trade curbs and sanctions over forced Uyghur labour
The United States has unleashed a volley of actions to censure China's treatment of the Uyghur minority, with lawmakers voting to curb trade and issuing new sanctions on Beijing.
The Guardian
Pope’s missing apology adds to ‘lack of trust’ from Indigenous people in Canada
Suspicion and lack of trust mark the relationship between the Catholic Church and Indigenous peoples in Canada as Pope Francis considers visiting the country.
The Associated Press
‘How the West enables Islamism’
Progressives condone blasphemy laws that get people lynched in Pakistan, says Kunwar Khuldune Shahid.
Unherd
Thu, 16 Dec 2021
Full inquiry launched into charity running mosque over safeguarding concerns
Regulators have opened a full inquiry into the charity running a Birmingham mosque amid a flurry of complaints and fears about child safeguarding.
Birmingham Live
Widower of Britain’s Got Talent star backs assisted dying law
The widower of a Britain's Got Talent finalist has spoken out in favour of legislation allowing assisted dying.
Nation Cymru
Terminally-ill Brit dies at Dignitas after 'nightmare' few days with trip in doubt
A terminally-ill British man has been assisted to die at Dignitas in Switzerland at his request, after Swiss Covid-19 quarantine rules almost jeopardised his plans.
Mirror
‘Abortion rights are being denied in Northern Ireland - progress on services is long overdue’
There are women and girls in Northern Ireland who are still, despite a change in the law, facing barriers to accessing abortion services, says Alex Davies-Jones MP.
Politics Home
France targets mosque for closure after ‘unacceptable’ preaching
The French Interior Ministry claimed the imam at the mosque of Beauvais has been inciting hatred against Christians, Jews and homosexuals.
TheLocal.fr
Abortion rights: US restrictions buck the global trend in 2021
A record number of US states have sought to restrict access to abortion this year, but countries including Argentina, Mexico and Thailand have moved in the opposite direction - easing their strict laws on the procedure.
Reuters*
US: Judge says school can refuse to display menorah symbol at tree-lighting ceremony
When a woman in Carmel sought to add an inflatable balloon decorated like a menorah to the tree-lighting ceremony at the school her third-grader attended, the school turned her down — and had a basis for its refusal, a federal judge says.
San Francisco Chronicle
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