All cases

Filtered by: Freedom of Religion

Regulations Barring Religious Schools from Teaching against Homosexuality

March 22, 2007, United Kingdom

Regulations Barring Religious Schools from Teaching Against Homosexuality Approved Sexual Orientation Regulations Pass House of Lords. Concerned Christians prayed outside of the Houses of Parliament.

Religion Teacher Mobbed At Madrid High School

January 26, 2007, Spain

Fernando Perez Crespo, teacher of religion at Carlos III High School, filed a formal complaint for mobbing. For the last four years, the schedule for his class had not been respected by the school authorities, parents who had requested religious instruction discovered that their children had been enrolled in other courses instead of Perez Crespo's religion class. At times Mr. Perez Crespo was compelled to use the school bathrooms or the smoking room to for teaching.

Girl Banned From Wearing Cross at School

January 10, 2007, United Kingdom

A British schoolgirl has been barred from wearing a crucifix necklace in class, the Daily Mail reported.

Christian Prayers Replaced By Quiet Moment

January 1, 2007, United Kingdom

Totnes Town Council replaced Christian prayers at the start of its meeting with a moment of silence.

Catholic School Vandalized in Pozuelo de Alarcon

October 31, 2006, Spain

The Catholic School Monte Tabor was vandalized just a few days before its inauguration in September 2006. Early in the morning, wearing gloves, four youths broke into the school and caused significant damage to the establishment, estimated in the amount of 20,000 Euro. Doors, windows, desks, and chairs were destroyed, and the walls painted with anti-Catholic expressions, as well as attacks to the PP, the PSOE political opponents.

Catholic Church Targeted by Government Representatives

September 18, 2006, Spain

In July 2005 the Spanish Socialist Youth political wing (JSE) has requested the government to appoint a commission to review the agreements between Spain and the Holy See. The JSE General Secretary and speaker, Herick Campos, emphasized the need to put the Catholic Church "in its place, without any privileges because the Catholic hierarchy has abused of its condition of majority to influence government affairs, specially in issues related to education and finance". This was supported by government leaders in 2006.

Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes

September 1, 2006, United Kingdom

Stephen Green, 55, national director of the evangelical organization Christian Voice, Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes Opposing Homosexuality in South Wales, UK.

High-Ranking Politician Disregards Agreement with the Vatican

May 31, 2006, Spain

The Secretary of the State Department of Communications, Fernando Moraleda, declared that the Government will "not pay more attention to the catechism than to the [official] program". Moraleda´s statement came right after the Pope Benedict XVI requested the teaching of religion in the schools be conducted in similar conditions to other subjects and as it has been agreed to in an international treaty signed by Spain and the Vatican. These agreements are mandatory law for Spain. "The Government has a program and it cannot pay attention to the catechism", Moraleda added.

Crucifixes and Religious Symbols Removed from San Juan de la Cruz School in Jaen

May 31, 2006, Spain

After receiving a formal claim from the Ombudsman Jose Chamizo, the Council of Andalucia requested the Department of Education to remove crucifixes and other religious symbols from San Juan de la Cruz of Baeza school in Jaén. According to the media, only one parent had complaint to the Ombudsman to remove the crucifixes displayed in the classrooms.

Christian Church Leader Imprisoned for Organizing Bible Study

March 30, 2006, Belarus

Sergei Shavtsov was arrested and jailed for 10 days for organizing a meeting on Christian history and Bible issues without an official permit.