Latest Freedom of religion News
GOP Rep. pitches LGBTQ rights bill with religious exemptions
As Democrats champion anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community and Republicans counter with worries about safeguarding religious freedom, one congressional Republican is offering a proposal on Friday that aims to achieve both goals. The bill that Utah GOP Rep. Chris Stewart plans to unveil would...
GOP Rep. pitches LGBTQ rights bill with religious exemptions
As Democrats champion anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community and Republicans counter with worries about safeguarding religious freedom, one congressional Republican is offering a proposal on Friday that aims to achieve both goals. The bill that Utah GOP Rep. Chris Stewart plans to unveil would...
Shinto festival carries on centuries-old tradition in Japan
CHICHIBU, Japan (AP) — As fireworks light up the winter night, scores of men, women and teenagers crying “washoi, washoi” haul the last of six towering, lantern-covered floats up a small hill and into the town center, the culminating moment of a Shinto festival that has evolved from a harvest...
Religious freedom law plays key role in migrant-aid case
Religious liberty is often a high priority for conservatives, but last week’s acquittal of an Arizona man prosecuted for aiding migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border is spotlighting the ability of religious freedom law to shield people of faith regardless of political ideology. The case of Scott Warren, a...
Religious freedom trackers chafe at congressional proposal
The federal commission that tracks global religious freedom is facing a rift with Capitol Hill over a proposal that some members warn would hurt its effectiveness. At issue is bipartisan legislation introduced two months ago to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom for four years. The...
The Latest: Pope again denounces ills of human trafficking
BANGKOK (AP) — The Latest on Pope Francis’s visit to Thailand and Japan (all times local): 7 p.m. Pope Francis has denounced the “humiliation” endured by women and children forced into prostitution and migrants enslaved as fishermen and beggars. Francis told an estimated 60,000 people...
Teacher union to sue Quebec on religious symbols ban
GATINEAU, Quebec (AP) — A union federation representing 45,000 teachers in Quebec is suing the Canadian province over its ban on the wearing of religious symbols by many public employees. The lawsuit by the Fédération Autonome de l'Enseignement challenges a state secularism law passed this year...
Ohio House OKs bill expanding religious freedom in schools
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Republican-dominated Ohio House has approved a bill expanding religious freedom in public schools and allow students to engage in religious expression in their school assignments. The measure was sent to the Senate Wednesday after a 61-31 vote. The bill would remove a current...
Wisconsin Assembly votes to recognize tree, Bible week
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who lead the Wisconsin Assembly voted Tuesday to call the state Capitol evergreen a Christmas tree and formally recognize National Bible Week, moves they said were necessary to ensure Christianity isn't marginalized as the holidays approach. The 64-30 vote on naming the...
The Latest: Assembly declares evergreen is Christmas tree
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on an Assembly resolution recognizing Thanksgiving week as National Bible Week (all times local): 4:10 p.m. The state Assembly has passed a resolution declaring the giant evergreen the state Department of Administration places in the state Capitol every December is...
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