All Religious freedom articles
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OpinionI don’t agree with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. But they have a right to knock on my door
A polite knock on the door may be unwanted, but does that give the state the right to ban it? Following a landmark ruling regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses in Bulgaria, Lidia Rieder says it’s wrong to ban expressions of religious belief on the basis of mere “annoyance”
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OpinionBangladesh promised a “rainbow nation” of inclusivity. But Christians are still being attacked
When Bangladesh’s new government won a landslide victory earlier this year, they promised to create a tolerant and inclusive society for all faiths. But Christians say attacks against them are increasing. Open Doors’ Asha Lindsay* explains what’s happening
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OpinionChristianity-free zones have no place in the UK
A retired pastor has been convicted after reading John 3:16 on the fringes of a buffer zone near a hospital in Northern Ireland. If that’s enough to trigger criminal prosecution, we are entering dangerous territory, says Lois McLatchie Miller
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OpinionIran could be on the brink of a historic opening for the Bible. Is the Church ready to meet what may follow?
In Iran, following Christ still carries risk and access to the Bible can come at great cost. But as signs of change begin to emerge, Dirk Smith says the Church must be ready for a moment that could place God’s word within reach of millions
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OpinionKemi Badenoch has promised to repair Britain's churches. But Britain needs its moral foundations repaired first
Kemi Badenoch has pledged to restore church buildings, declaring Britain a ‘Christian nation’. But as Christians face prosecution for silent prayer and society strays further from Christian principles, Lois McLatchie Miller argues it is all in vain if the deeper crisis of abandoned Christian values goes unaddressed
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OpinionThe Gospel still offends. The Chicago Bulls’ firing of Jaden Ivey proves it
The Chicago Bulls recently released Jaden Ivey over posts expressing his Christian beliefs on sexuality during NBA Pride Month. In a league where serious misconduct has often drawn less severe punishment, Hope Bonarcher argues that his case reveals a striking inconsistency: where some sins are tolerated, the Gospel might get you fired
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OpinionWhy Christians should defend Muslims’ right to pray in Trafalgar Square
Conservative MP Nick Timothy has caused controversy after calling a public iftar gathering in London’s Trafalgar Square an “act of domination” by Muslims. Creating a culture of suspicion and exclusion towards people of other faiths is neither British nor Christian, argues David Taylor. He believes Christians should be the first to defend the right of Muslims to gather and pray peacefully
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OpinionWhy the grass isn’t Greener on the far-left of British politics
Don’t back the Green Party, says Lois McLatchie-Miller. Beneath their emphasis on the climate lies a different agenda where Christian ideals are strongly opposed
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Real Life‘My father was arrested for pastoring a church in China. Please pray for his release’
Grace Jin Drexel’s father, Ezra Jin, pastored one of China’s largest independent churches before being arrested in a crackdown on religious freedom last year. She shares her story of growing up under persecution and explains why the Chinese Church continues to grow, despite government pressure
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OpinionThere isn’t a clear path to freedom for Iran’s Christians
Persecution of Christians is likely to get worse in the short term, warns Dr Martin Parsons
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OpinionRupert Lowe says Britain is a Christian country. Is it?
The Restore Party has been inaugurated with a pledge to keep Britain Christian at the centre of its mission, but with abortion rates high, porn culture thriving, and the meaning of marriage being diminished, Lois McLatchie-Miller questions whether Britain is currently Christian in anything other than name
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OpinionIran in upheaval: What the protests mean for Christians
As an internet blackout sweeps the country and thousands of protestors take to the streets, Steve Dew-Jones says it is about time the world’s media picks up on what is happening in Iran. Could it finally be time for change in the country with one of the world’s fastest growing Christian communities?
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OpinionChristians are still persecuted in Iran - despite a train station named after the Virgin Mary
Tehran’s Holy Virgin Mary metro station supposedly celebrates the “peaceful coexistence” of religions in Iran. But on International Religious Freedom Day, Steve Dew-Jones reminds us that Christian converts still face extreme persecution
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OpinionWhy Christians like me are opposing Sean Feucht’s ‘persecution’ narrative
Eight Canadian cities have revoked performance permits for the worship leader Sean Feucht. But contrary to what he claims, the songwriter is not being persecuted for his faith, argues Elias Dummer
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OpinionTrump’s ‘peace plan’ for Ukraine would be a disaster for religious freedom
If a US-negotiated peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine involves ceding land, it will also have huge implications for the Church. Andreja Bogdanovski explains why Putin wants control of Orthodoxy in Ukraine - and why that would be dangerous for all Christians
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OpinionAssad’s fall leaves Syrian Christians in peril
Could Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s takeover see a jihadist-inspired coup peacefully transition to a free, democratic Syria? If it does, it would be a first for the region, says David Charlwood. If it doesn’t, their long history of violence spells disaster for all non-Muslim minority groups
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News AnalysisIs Kenya about to lock up evangelical pastors?
Church leaders worry that a new bill designed to crack down on rogue clerics in Kenya could be used against mainstream churches. Daniel Sitole reports
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OpinionYoung people are more open to faith than you might think. Let’s not shy away from sharing Jesus
A new study suggests faith is shaping the lives of young people more than the generations that came before them. John Reynolds says these green shoots of hope should fill us with confidence as we share our Christian beliefs
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OpinionChristian schools in Australia are under attack
Legislators are questioning the right of faith schools in Australia to recruit staff that hold orthodox Christian views. Stephen McAlpine explains why he believes this is an attack on religious freedom
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OpinionIs Iran really like Orwell’s 1984? Here are 4 similarities
A new report says life for Christians in Iran is harder than ever. Ben Cohen says their horrific treatment at the hands of the Morality Police reminds him of George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel
