An Australian Anglican pastor, academic, and human rights activist, Mark Durie is also very critical of Islam – especially on the issue of religious liberty. He speaks of ‘moderate’ governments whose economic openness and political cooperation is lauded by the West, which turns a blind eye to their blatant restrictions on religious liberty. But Durie's concern goes beyond just the victims, to include those who let it slide.
Read More(COMMENTARY) Republican Jeffrey Bell died in February, after a career in which he ran for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey – in 1978 and 2014 – but was better known for work behind the scenes helping others, following beliefs that escaped easy political labels.
Read MoreAt a time when the Philippine culture is showing and allowing openness to more liberal concepts and lifestyles that are tagged as the “new normal,” there appears to be a persistent aversion to divorce from the majority of the population, primarily by members of the Catholic and Christian faith.
Read MoreIn the wake of the UK-based Oxfam scandal in which aid workers in the Haiti earthquake aftermath exchanged aid for sex and used local prostitutes, disparate Christian voices around the world are calling for reform to the Western aid system.
Read More(OPINION) The mood at the recent National Prayer Breakfast was affectionate when Rep. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans introduced House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. People keep asking how the two can be such close friends when they disagree on about "80 percent" of the issues facing America. The key, Richmond said, is to understand that faith can transcend politics.
Read More(Commentary) Our review of the U.S. press coverage of claims that Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich, the president of the Deutsche Bischofskonferenz (DBK), had given his permission to clergy to bless same-sex unions has sparked rigorous debate on social media. George Conger responds with his perspective on what is causing the discord.
Read MoreThe Trump administration cited religious freedom as reason to crimp funds to Pakistan this month, opening a new chapter of strained relationships between two nuclear power frenemies.
Read MoreAngry uprisings flared up in 80 cities across Iran since late December, until being violently shut down by the Revolutionary Guards. The protests have deeply shaken the religious elite who rule Iran. They’ve also exposed the state’s systemic dysfunction, as well as widespread rage and resentment among Iran’s populace — most notably among the poor and disadvantaged.
Read MoreWhile the transgender community in the West has scored political victories and turned public opinion in favor of more rights, 4.8 million members of the transgender community in India still struggle to fight for their rights and against social stigma.
Read More(COMMENTARY) Canada serves as a warning to the United States of the tricky balance that the legalization of same-sex marriage brings with it. The Supreme Court must protect the religious freedom of all American citizens. Should justices rule otherwise, the U.S. could be headed down the same downward spiral that Canada finds itself in today.
Read MoreThe drama surrounding the Kenyan presidential elections seems far from over as Kenyans enter the new year with new levels of anxiety. Tensions were raised over the holidays when opposition leader, Raila Odinga, reiterated that he was going ahead with plans to be sworn in as ‘The People’s President’ in early 2018.
Read MorePeople across Africa are mourning the death of peace icon Bishop Cornelius Kipng’eno Arap Korir of the Catholic diocese of Eldoret in Kenya. In the days and weeks since his passing, people continue to find ways to commemorate his death and honor his memory.
Read More(OPINION) U.S. President Donald Trump and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi may differ in their leadership styles and values, but the two share common ground when it comes to their rise in popularity in conservative nationalist movements in their countries.
Read MoreKenya's election commission has, once again, postponed voting in the country's presidential election due to rampant violence and bloodshed there.
Read MorePope Francis elected the first ever Nordic Cardinal earlier this year. Some say Sweden´s gender equality and liberal attitude to immigration might have influenced the Pope´s decision.
Read MoreSince politics in Kenya took on a tribal dimension, church leaders have not been immune to tribal influences. Churches appear neutral on the outside, but they are partisan inside, according to a former political candidate who is now a pastor.
Read MoreTen years on from election violence that left 1,000 dead, and after the 2013 elections were marred by allegations of vote tampering, Kenya will have another chance on August 8th, 2017, to peacefully vote in the opposition or stay with the current administration.
Read MoreRather than filling the neighborhood with political signs backing candidates during the last campaign, one pastor instead passed out trilingual signs welcoming refugees to his small Virginia town. The signs have since made their way across the country.
Read MorePERSPECTIVE - The Daily Mail, The Times, and other outlets report that claims that cutting government spending on sexual education would lead to a rise in teen pregnancy have now been shown to be untrue. Yet none bothers with issues of deeper ethical or religious motivations in the controversy.
Read More(OPINION) Reports that Russians are calling for the restoration of the monarchy and the crowning of Vladimir Putin as Tsar are circulating -- all built on the traditional Western construct that the Russian mind is mysterious, sententious, or ludicrous.
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