All cases

Witness Reports of Online Mobbing for Christian Positions

May 29, 2013, Germany

A letter to the editor by kath.net user „trierer“ about what he experienced in a German online discussion forum sheds light on the exclusion of Christians and Christians values from the public.

Stickers Spread in Angers Saying "Catholicism – Enough Annoyance"

May 29, 2013, France

Citizens of the French city of Angers are confronted with stickers on traffic signs saying: “CATHO RAS-LE-BOL” (=Catholicism – enough annoyance). The credit is claimed by a group called “Comité anti-Catholique Angevin” (= anti-Catholic committee of Angers).

References to Christmas to be Removed in Asturias

May 22, 2013, Spain

The Asturian regional government has sent a circular to schools asking for all references to Christmas to be removed from the school calendar and replaced with “winter holidays”.

Public Funding Restricted for Organisations with Christian Convictions

May 21, 2013, Netherlands

Organisations may base their work on whatever beliefs or convictions - but to receive public funding, they must not object to current legislation. This creates a problem for Christian organisations especially with regard to objecting to medical procedures.

Equality Act 2010 Causes Closure of Christian Businesses

May 21, 2013, United Kingdom

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination on several grounds, including sexual orientation, in the area of the provision of goods and services. While there is a vital exemption to the general prohibition against discrimination for religious organisations when providing goods or services, this can only be relied upon in limited circumstances and is not wide enough to cover many situations.

State Educational Programme Angers Christian Parents

May 21, 2013, Spain

Spanish educational law includes a set of mandatory subjects under the generic category of Education for Citizenship which are indoctrinatory and violates the rights of parents. The Education for Citizenship curriculum is mandatory for primary and secondary education (children ages 10-16), and must be implemented into all Spanish schools (public and private).

Province of Asturias Decides to Eliminate Religious Terms in Schools

May 20, 2013, Spain

The region’s education minister Doña Ana González Rodríguez asked the schools to remove the words Christmas and Easter from their calendars.

Numerous Human Rights Violations Against Pro-Family Demonstrators

April 23, 2013, France

The recent attacks on pro-family mass-demonstrations included: tear gas against children, overbearing police force, unconstitutional state action and human rights violations, death threats against organisers on social media and stabbing of a protester, as well as violations of freedom of assembly.

Archbishop of Brussels Andre Leonard Attacked

April 23, 2013, Belgium

Four activists of the feminist group Femen disturbed a conference at the university of Brussels. The topless women interrupted Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard's speech by throwing water out of Lourdes bottles at him. Screaming loudly they held up a poster "Stop Homophobia". On their bare chests they had written blasphemous comments.

Homosexual Activists David Berger Claims "Gay Haters Get Out of Talk Shows"

April 21, 2013, Germany

In an appeal to the media in Germany, Mr Berger, writer and theologian, claims that people critical of the homosexual life style must not be allowed to voice their thoughts in talk shows any more. In the name of human dignity and human rights, critics ought to be silenced.

LGBT Activists Calls for Murder of Catholic Campaigner

April 14, 2013, France

At a radical LGBT manifestation in Lyon on Sunday, April 14, a participant held up a sign saying "Keep calm and kill Frigide Barjot". Comedian Barjot was the main person behind the pro-family mass demonstrations in France opposing same sex marriage and adoption.

Ban on Christian Teacher from Deptford Green School in London

April 12, 2013, United Kingdom

A classroom ban on a Christian school teacher who condemned the “homosexual lifestyle” in front of year 11 pupils aged 15 and 16, has been upheld by the High Court. Science teacher, Robert Haye’s appeal against the decision to ban him indefinitely was rejected by the judge. After telling his class that the way homosexual people lived was a “sin”, according to the bible, he was sacked and prohibited from teaching at any school.

Catholic Parish Targeted by Government

March 29, 2013, Russia

As a consequence of a “foreign agents“ law that was signed by President Vladimir Putin last year, Russia caused headlines with its persistent attempt to crack down foreign funded non-governmental organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. Now the latest reports state that the government has started targeting churches as well, e.g. fining a Catholic parish in Nowotscherkassk for 450,000 Rubles (11,200 Euros).

Reproach of Police Misconduct at Pro-Family-Manifestation

March 25, 2013, France

French Christians launched a petition for the resignation of Manuel Valls, French Minister of the Interior, and Bernard Boucault, Prefect of Police, and to sanction all police staff who committed abuses against the peaceful demonstrators at the Pro-Family-demonstration "Manif pour tous" in Paris on Sunday 24th of March. According to the organisers, the number of protesters had been greatly underestimated by the police, and in order to try to contain the actual 1,4 million the police employed unnecessary forceful measures.

Christian Youth Foundation in Dordrecht Accuses Local Government of Anti-Christian Repression

March 22, 2013, Netherlands

A Christian foundation for working with youth surprisingly lost its license to serve coffee and soda on the grounds that the youth centre was a gastronomical enterprise running on deficit and other permits would be necessary for non-profit activities. This was perceived as a governmental anti-Christian repression and is now debated in court.

Pro-Life Women Attacked By Pro-Abortion Men at Manifestation

March 15, 2013, Poland

Male pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women, pushing and kicking them, during a rally on March 10th in Warsaw. The pro-lifers were part of the organisation Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.

University Assistant Professor Loses Job Due to Opposition to “Gay Marriage”

February 7, 2013, Germany

A Cologne university professor lost his job because he had spoken for Christian values and against “gay” marriages in a TV appearance. The university claimed that such views were not to be tolerated.

Anti-Christian Images and Posters at Pro-Gay Marriage Rally in Paris

January 27, 2013, France

The French gay activist lobby groups hosted a pro-gay marriage on the 27th of January. Unlike the pro-family rally of the 13th of January, whose posters and messages focused on images or phrases that reminded onlookers of the traditional family and of children’s need for a mother and father, the 27th of January demonstration signs were largely aimed at insulting Christians and the Pope. Some signs were calling for the “Pope to tie his own fallopian tubes.” Others called the Virgin Mary the first “surrogate mother”, while still others stated that gays were "less likely to harm children than priests".

British Airways Banned Employee from Wearing a Cross, ECHR Confirms a Violation of Freedom of Religion

January 15, 2013, United Kingdom

(October 2006 - January 2013)In October 2006 an employee, Ms Eweida, was banned from wearing a cross on a necklace by British Airways, UK. Court ruling in January 2008 upheld prohibition for Christians, but not for other religions' symbols. On January 15th, 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ms Eweida's rights had been violated.

Bishop of Trieste Barricaded After Reiterating Church Teaching on Homosexuality in Church Newspaper

January 12, 2013, Italy

In the January edition of the Diocesan newspaper, the Bishop of Trieste had published an article restating the Church’s teaching on homosexual unions. Because of this, on the 12th of January about two hundred homosexual activist demonstrated in front of his home effectively barricading him in for the afternoon.

French Government to “Dissolve Religious Pathology” and “Excesses” in the Church

January 6, 2013, France

Instead of tackling the enormous number of anti-Christian vandalisms, President Hollande announced 'the National Observatory of Secularism' to come into being this year, tasked with closely monitoring religious organisations for any potential 'excesses'. French Interior Minister Manuel Valls highlighted various Catholic organisations, stating that "All excesses are being minutely registered in case we have to consider dissolving it."

TV Host Suspended for Critical Show on Government's Sex Ed Programme

January 1, 2013, Croatia

Ms Karolina Vidović-Krišto, a well-respected journalist with HRT/HTV, was the editor and host of a popular program “Slika Hrvatske”, produced specifically for Croatians living overseas. She was suspended after editing and hosting a show which criticised the government's sex ed programme on December 29, 2012.

Pride Parade Hurts Christians' Religious Feelings

December 25, 2012, Slovenia

During the Ljubljana Gay Pride Parade 2012 the protestors for „a proud LGBT community“ carried signs which hurt the religious feelings of Christians: One image satirically said "let us return to the middle ages" showing a pope-like figure cutting apart a rainbow flag. The other one read: "even Jesus had two fathers". Furthermore, the Observatory was told by the organizers of the Iskreni Festival (clf. a pro family event), that Slovenian LGBT lobby organisations attacked their work massively. They tried to pressure benefactors of the festival into seizing any financial support due to the Iskreni Festival's pro life and pro family orientation.

Insults and Removal Claims for Crucifix in Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection

December 15, 2012, Germany

Calls to remove the cross from the Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection argue that the public display of the crucifix was no surprise in an arm-exporting country - "because the crucifix was a pungent glorification of violence and an learning tool towards anti-Semitism."

Restitution of Property to Catholic Church in Czech Republic Accompanied with Dirt Campaign Against the Church

November 29, 2012, Czech Republic

A controversial campaign by the oppositional Social Democrats directed against the Church Property Restitution Bill has turned into a major brawl with Czech Catholics and other churches.

EU Attempted to Remove Christian Symbols of Commemorative Coin

November 29, 2012, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

The National Bank of Slovakia announced that the European Commission, the union’s executive arm, had ordered it to remove halos and crosses from special commemorative euro coins. The European Union finally gave in- the coins are to be minted as planned.

Brussels Bans Annual Christmas Tree Display As It May Offend Muslims

November 19, 2012, Belgium

Government officials in Brussels banned the Christmas tree in the city center out of concerns that the local Muslim population might find it “offensive.” An “electronic winter tree,” will take the place of the traditional Christmas Tree and Nativity scene at the city center of Grand Place. Citizens protested.

New Legislation on Gay Marriage Might Get Teachers Fired

November 18, 2012, United Kingdom

The British Parliamentary Undersecretary of State, Liz Truss, states she was not able to rule out the possibility that teachers refusing to use stories or textbooks favoring same sex- marriage face disciplinary consequences.

Anti-Christian Slogans Interrupt a Symposium for Life in Biarritz

November 18, 2012, France

Attendants at the Symposium for Life held in Biarritz, following the 18th of November demonstration against same-sex marriage by Civitas, was interrupted by an anti-Christian demonstration. With signs saying “yes, yes to sodomy, no, no, no to the inquisition” held by men in nuns habits and women with devils horns the aim was one of offending. Worsening matters was the biased coverage by the press that failed to report on the anti-Christian nature of the demonstration.

Proposed EU Commissionar Faces Opposition for Holding Christian Views

November 13, 2012, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

A consortium of homosexualist, secular humanist and abortion groups campaigned against the appointment of the Maltese Dr. Tonio Borg as the new EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner. The objection, they said, was nothing more than that Dr. Borg was a Catholic, with “staunchly conservative and outdated” views on homosexuality, divorce and abortion. The campaign failed soon thereafter.

(Scotland) Cardinal O´Brien Declared “Bigot of the Year”

November 12, 2012, United Kingdom

Christian believers and other people in Britain are expressing outrage after the country’s leading homosexualist lobby group declared the Cardinal Archbishop of Edinburgh, Keith O’Brien, “Bigot of the Year” for his opposition to “gay marriage”.

Secularists Condemn Churches Involvement in Public Life

November 5, 2012, France

The Grand Society of France (the largest among Masonic organizations in France) declared that "... churches are restricted only to the spiritual sphere, and not to interfere legitimate public debate leading to evolution and progress of civil rights."

(Scotland) National Secular Society Pressured Highlands Council to Drop Prayers

October 31, 2012, United Kingdom

The Highlands Council Scotland had the tradition of incorporating a prayer in its agenda before each meeting. However, during the summer the National Secular Society wrote a letter to the Council demanding it remove prayer from its formal agenda or it would face legal action. The Council has now dropped prayer from its formal agenda.

Ban on Distribution of Bibles at Public Schools in Berlin

October 10, 2012, Germany

The International Gideons are known for distributing pocket Bibles for free - mostly at schools, hospitals, hotels and medical practices. They were denied to further distribute Bibles at public schools in Berlin by the ministry of education and cultural affairs.

Pro-Life Offices Vandalised

October 8, 2012, Austria

The Vienna offices of Human Life International (HLI) were attacked and damaged during a World Prayer Congress for Life held on October 4th – 8th. During the attack the glass entrance door was broken and jars filled with black paint were through at the building, some of them making it an in and smearing computers inside. The front door of a building in which participants stayed over night was barricaded putting the people into significant risk.

Pro-Life Activists Continuously Attacked

October 3, 2012, Germany

Pro-Life activists continuously suffer attacks from radical groups, including physical attacks and property damages; as well as negative stereotyping by the media; and an infringement on freedom of assembly and expression by a ban mile.

Religious Radio Programme Arbitrarily Cancelled

October 1, 2012, Croatia

For twenty years Croatia’s national radio station (HRT) had, through an agreement with the Bishop’s Conference, broadcast a five minute programme, “Praised be Jesus Christ” edited by the local archdiocese. This agreement was ended by the HRT: it cancelled the programme without warning or explanation.

Vatican and Several Cathedrals Virtually „Occupied“ in App

September 29, 2012, International

In the augmented reality app „Junaio“, several of the world’s large cathedrals are decorated with a banner displaying the text “Abortion Pills, A Gift From God” and instructions how to do an abortion yourself with a medicine called misoprostol.

Christian Pro-Life Group Legally Threatened by Abortion Giant

September 28, 2012, United Kingdom

Maria Stopes International (MSI), one of the biggest abortion providers worldwide located in the UK, threatened to take legal action against a pregnancy pro-life center (Good Counsel) for distributing and providing some information about the negative effects of abortion on mental health.

National Pro-Life-Manifestation Attacked by Radical Left Wing Groups

September 23, 2012, Germany

Every year in September, a national pro-life-manifestation - the March for Life takes place in Berlin. Radical groups disturb the peaceful marchers each year - with methods ranging from insults and hurtful chanting, to blocking of roads or venues, to property damage or physical violence.

Prime Minister Thinks Teachers Should Not Be Allowed to Teach that Homosexual Behavior Was a Sin

September 16, 2012, United Kingdom

Prime minister David Cameron thinks that faith schools should not be allowed to teach that homosexuality is a sin, according to a quote featured by the Daily Mail.

Christian Councillor was Expelled from Green Party because of her Views on Gay Marriage

September 10, 2012, United Kingdom

A councillor for the Green Party, Christina Summers, a Christian, who disagrees with her party’s support for redefining marriage should be “expelled”, an internal disciplinary panel has said. She has responded by saying the decision is a “typical symptom of prejudice, blatant prejudice”.

Greenpeace Activists Harass Crossroads Walkers

September 6, 2012, Spain

Participants in Spain’s first annual Crossroads walk, a Christian-inspired cross-country march for the right to life, were confronted with a group of angry Greenpeace activists, who were peeved by the walkers’ pro-life position, and suffered insults, severe threats of violence and graffiti on their RV.

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s Advisor Calls Same-Sex Marriage Opponents “Bigots”

September 4, 2012, United Kingdom

A former senior advisor to Nick Clegg says supporters of traditional marriage are “bigots” and Mr Clegg should have said so too in a speech but changed it after public furor.

Teacher Flunks High School Student for Saying that Homosexuality is an “Abnormal Orientation"

September 1, 2012, Sweden

During a biology class a Swedish high school student spoke up and called homosexuality an “abnormal sexual orientation”. As a result of this comment the teacher flunked the student. The reasoning of the teacher is that it is the task of the educational system to teach pupils respect for all sexual orientations. The opposing view of the student doesn’t correspond to the curriculum’s goal.

Churches in Occupied Cyprus Plundered

September 1, 2012, Cyprus

Numerous churches in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus were profaned and turned into storage rooms, museums and mosques.

Local Council in Broue Orders Removal of Cross at Cemetery

August 30, 2012, France

The City of Broue ordered the removal of a cross at the entrance to the city cemetery at the instigation of a counsellor, saying that "the cemetery is a public building; there should be no religious symbols." This was done "in the name of tolerance."

Ad For Mountain Tourism Conceals Summit Cross

August 30, 2012, Germany

Due to increased tourism from Middle Eastern countries, the management of the Zugspitze Railway in Bavaria produced an advertisement leaflet of the mountain “Zugspitze” without an image of the summit cross. Churches protested.

NGO Calls for Withdrawal of Recognition for Russian-Orthodox Church in Austria

August 6, 2012, Austria

The Austrian Initiative “Religion is a private matter” seeks to deprive the Russian-orthodox Church in Vienna of its legal personality because of its involvement in the “Pussy Riot” case.

Pro-Life Advocates Arrested for Displaying Abortion Posters

August 2, 2012, Poland

Mariusz Dzierżawski, founder of the Warsaw-based PRO Foundation – Right to Life, and a fellow PRO Foundation member were arrested by the local governmental authorities during an approved anti-abortion rally at the entrance of the Woodstock Festival held in the western Polish city of Kostrzyn.

Left NGO Calls for Violence Against Christians

July 17, 2012, Austria

The Salzburg-based NGO „Infoladen“ calls for violence against Christians when expressing pro-life views. In July they called for a counter-demonstration against a pro-life manifestation. „Let’s make their 1000-crosses-manifestation a disaster!“ and „Sink the 1000 crosses!“ are some of the slogans on their website.

Bosnian Government Fails to Offer Aid to Thousands of Catholics Wanting to Return

July 10, 2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina

A significant number of Catholic refugee families plan to come back to Bosnia- Herzegovina, but the Bosnian Government does not offer assistance in rebuilding their houses and restoring infrastructure. 800 families have turned to the Catholic Church for help. Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka declared that it is actually the task of the government to provide support. He complained about the lack of political will on the part of the government and the international community to enable Catholics to return to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Party Proposes Explicit Ban of Conscientious Objection for Registrars with regard to Gay Marriage

July 4, 2012, Netherlands

The liberal party VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) tabled a proposal in the second chamber of the parliament to prohibit the use of conscientious objection for registrars with regard to conducting gay marriages. There seems to be a majority in the parliament to support this proposal. The topic is expected to be debated until the end of the year 2012.

Christian on Trial for Reaching Out to Woman on the Way to Abortion

June 30, 2012, France

A French retired doctor faced police investigation for trial because of giving a woman who intended an abortion knitted baby shoes and a medallion. In France “moral and psychological pressure” seen as an “hindrance of abortion” is punishable.

Left MPs File Complaint Against Cross in Polish Parliament

June 28, 2012, Poland

About 10 MPs of the anti-clerical “Palikot Movement” seek to enforce the removal of the Cross in the Polish Parliament by legal proceedings at the Administrative Court.

Christian Manifestation Attacked by Homosexual Activists

June 16, 2012, Austria

About 70 Christians demonstrated in a prayerful and peaceful walk against the Vienna "Gay pride parade" in Vienna on June 16th. They were attacked by counterdemonstration of activists for a homosexual agenda.

Christian GP Called Guilty of “Malpractice” for Sharing his Faith

June 14, 2012, United Kingdom

The General Medical Council’s Investigation Committee has reprimanded a Christian doctor for sharing his faith with a patient at the end of a private consultation.

Conscientious Objection Loses Ground

May 24, 2012, France

Medical Student, Carolin, 24: “I had to do an internship in a gynecology department, and I can tell you that when there is only one nurse for the whole department, you better forget about your conscientious objection.”

Law Society Revokes Christian Debate Over Marriage

May 23, 2012, United Kingdom

The Law Society has revoked the booking of a Christian conférence on marriage to be held by Christian Concern and other organisations because it considered it "contrary to its ‘diversity’ Policy".

Bishop Banned from Official City Events in Alcala

May 18, 2012, Spain

The city council of Alcala adopted a motion banning bishop Juan Antonia Reig Pla from official city events. The motion answers the bishop's remarks criticizing homosexual lifestyle.

Christian Blogger Under Investigation by Gov’t Ad Authority for Running Pro-Marriage Ad

May 18, 2012, United Kingdom

A prominent British Christian conservative blogger is under attack from a government agency, at the behest of a homosexualist activist group, for supporting the defence of traditional marriage.

Doctor Sacked For Emailing Prayer Loses Court Battle

May 3, 2012, United Kingdom

Christian doctor who was sacked for emailing a prayer to his colleagues has lost his clam for unfair dismissal, after an Employment Tribunal ruled that there was “no need” for religious references to be made at work.

Catholic Schools Under Attack for Upholding Marriage

April 26, 2012, United Kingdom

Secular campaigners have launched an attack on the Roman Catholic Church for urging its secondary schools to back the current legal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

Catholic Bishop to be Charged of ‘Inciting Hate’

April 19, 2012, Spain

Homosexual activists lobby for the proscecution of Bishop Juan Antonio Reig Pla of Alcala de Henares for preaching the Catholic Church’s position on homosexual acts. An international group of Catholic doctors defends the bishop.

Catholics Refused Access to Museum in Rennes

April 18, 2012, France

The Conservatory of Public Schools in refuses entrance to pupils from private Catholic schools. Director Jean-Louis Robert said: “This museum is for pupils of state schools only. We refuse that children from Catholic schools go to this museum. It’s our right and that’s how it is.”

Christian Adverts Censored in London by Mayor

April 13, 2012, United Kingdom

Boris Johnson, the Conservative Party mayor of London, ordered bus advertisements for overcoming same-sex attraction to be stopped. The campaign had been cleared by the Advertising Authority, and was designed to be an answer to a pro-homosexual campaign.

Young Boy Under Threat for Wearing a Cross

March 16, 2012, Turkey

A 12-year-old boy, Hussein, witnessed his Christian faith by wearing a silver cross necklace in school. Muslim classmates taunted and spat on him. When the boy threatened to report one of the bullies, the bully's father threatened to "kill him". He says he also received a beating by his religion teacher.

New York Times Ad Calls Catholic Church "Autocratic, Woman-Hating, Sex-perverting Old Boys Club"

March 13, 2012, International

Catholics and non-Catholics alike have reacted to a viciously anti-Catholic full-page advertisement in Friday’s New York Times. The ‘Freedom From Religion Foundation’s ad, which takes the form of a letter to a “liberal Catholic”, asks “Cafeteria” Catholics, “Why are you propping up the pillars of a tyrannical and autocratic, woman-hating, sex-perverting, antediluvian Old Boys Club?” The Freedom from Religious Foundation is led by Annie Laurie Gaylor and her husband, Dan Barker. Gaylor is author of the book, Abortion Is a Blessing.

Bishop of Karpasia Prevented from Entering Occupied Area in Northern Cyprus

March 13, 2012, Cyprus

A new provocative action was carried out by the occupying regime in Cyprus when Bishop of Karpasia Mr. Christoforos was not allowed to enter the occupied area from the barricade of Astromeritis village. Later, he was also prohibited to go into one area of Agios Dometios. The bishop was stopped without explanation.

Celebrity Suggests "Homophobic" Clergy Should be Jailed

March 12, 2012, United Kingdom

The celebrity singer Will Young has suggested that clergy should be put in jail for speaking out too strongly against same-sex marriage.

Vatican Website Hacked by Anti-Catholic Group

March 7, 2012, International

Hackers claiming ties to the group Anonymous are taking credit after the Vatican website went down Wednesday. They displayed the following message: “Anonymous decided today to besiege your site in response to the doctrine, to the liturgies, to the absurd and anachronistic concepts that your for-profit organization spreads around the world."

Christian Therapist Faces Expulsion for Views on Homosexuality

February 29, 2012, United Kingdom

A Christian psychotherapist is the subject of a professional conduct inquiry in London for supporting therapy for those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. The dispute arose as, in response to a question, Dr Davidson had said: “yes, I do believe homosexuality is a sin.” Commentators speak of a "worrying trend where the door to practising professional therapy is being closed to people with Christian sexual ethics."

Catholic Schools Singled Out and Targeted for Distributing Faith-Based Moral Literature

February 27, 2012, United Kingdom

An Christian booklet has been distributed to students in some Catholic schools in Lancashire, UK. Its comments on homosexuality raised the discontent of UK’s largest trades union, who says that the government is allowing “homophobia” to be promoted in religious schools.

Christians Compared to Radical Muslims

February 23, 2012, United Kingdom

Trevor Phillips, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), has ignited public controversy by comparing Christians who do not believe that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt children to “Muslims who demand the introduction of Sharia Courts”.

High Court Bans Prayers At Formal Council Meetings, Government Responds in Favor of Religion

February 21, 2012, United Kingdom

The UK Government has written to all local councils in England, telling them that new laws restore their power to hold prayers at official meetings after the High Court had ruled that local councils have no lawful power to hold prayers during official business. The court case was initiated by the National Secular Society and a local atheist ex-councillor who sued Bideford Town Council in Devon for conducting prayers, a custom that had been in place since the 17th century.

MP Receives Death Threat After Backing Traditional Marriage

February 21, 2012, United Kingdom

David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, revealed at the launch of Coalition for Marriage (C4M) in London that he has received a death threat and hate mail after speaking out in support of traditional marriage.

‘Intolerant’ Campaign Against Tory MP Over Gay Marriage

February 13, 2012, United Kingdom

Tory MP, David Burrowes, is facing an ‘intolerant’ campaign against him because of his opposition to homosexual marriage. The campaign is led by the treasurer of his local Conservative association, Phillip Dawson, who is homosexual.

Secularists Lobby to Remove NHS Chaplains

February 10, 2012, United Kingdom

Secularists campaign to ban the use of National Health Service money to fund hospital chaplains.

Fines for Criticising Homosexuality OK for European Court of Human Rights

February 9, 2012, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

A Swedish law foreseeing prison sentences for criticising the homosexualist agenda in public was upheld by the European Court of Human Rights which has ruled that there it was not in violation of freedom of expression. Four people were fined for a distributing leaflets.

Irish Bishop Investigated After Upsetting Humanist in Homily

February 2, 2012, Ireland

Bishop Philip Boyce of the Raphoe diocese in northwestern Ireland was investigated by the police for “hate crime” after arguing that the Catholic Church in Ireland is under attack from “aggressive secularism”.

Discrimination Against Christian Communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina

February 1, 2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Almost 20 years after the war in the Balkans, there is still discrimination against Christians, especially Catholic Christians, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Cardinal Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo pointed out the situation of Christians in his country during a visit to the international headquarters of the Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

University Motion Orders Human-Life-Defending Groups to Invite Pro-Abortion Speakers

January 31, 2012, United Kingdom

The students’ union of University College in London has passed a motion to officially make the campus “pro-choice” and to impose a “restriction of freedom of speech”.

Nuns Report Increase of Verbal Abuse and Discrimination

January 23, 2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nuns wearing habits are being subjected to verbal abuse in public more frequently in Bosnia-Herzegovina, say local Franciscan Sisters.

Mayor Who Criticised Halloween Punished

January 11, 2012, United Kingdom

A church-going former mayor in Warwickshire who declined to take part in a Halloween event has been found in breach of equality rules for upsetting pagans.

Catholic TV Channel Ignored in License Distribution

January 1, 2012, Poland

The Polish National Broadcasting Council (NBC) did not include a major Catholic TV channel in their distribution of crucial Digital terrestrial television multiplex licenses but accepted rather unknown commercial networks. Polish Christian groups as well as human rights activists are very concerned. This is a particularily important decision, as the technical future of the individual channels depends on it. For TV Trwam it is especially crucial, as the channel generates the funding for a widespread radio channel, standing and falling with the TV channel.

Clinton: "Religious Believes are an Obstacle to Human Rights"

December 30, 2011, International

Religious believes are an obstacle to human rights, says US Secretary of State Mrs Hillary Clinton in a major foreign policy address in December 2011 in Geneva before United Nations delegates. Clinton identified "deeply-held … religious beliefs" as among "the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] people."

Study Reveals: Christians are a minorty at the BBC

December 3, 2011, United Kingdom

A diversity survey conducted internally by the BBC revealed that only 22.5 of its employees are Christians. In a country where the majority of the population identified themselves as Christians, the fact that the BBC staff do not constitute a fair representation of the public constitute a factor that needs to be corrected, said BBC veteran Roger Bolton.

Homeschooling Parents in Fear of Loosing Custody Over Children

November 25, 2011, Germany

Local and state education officials have threatened to take the Dudek family’s children to school by force, according to a letter to the parents Jürgen and Rosemarie Dudek.

Prefecture Prohibits Pro-Life Manifestation, Allows Left Wing Counter Protests

November 19, 2011, France

The French Christian pro life group "SOS Tout-petits" registered a manifestation against abortion to take place on Nov 19th in front of the Paris Hospital Tenon. Even though the request for the permit came in due time, the prefecture withdrew the permission last minute. Reasons given were that the manifestation could be a disturbance of the public order and safety could not be guaranteed. At the same time, pro-choice groups which had organized a counter manifestation, and who had violently attacked the pro-life group during previous manifestations were allowed to hold their manifestation by walking around the hospital.

Christian Debt Counselling Charity Excluded from Support Network for Offering Prayer to Clients

September 5, 2011, United Kingdom

‚Advice UK’, the largest support network for free advice centres in the UK, has pushed out a Christian debt counselling charity from its membership for offering to pray with clients suffering from debt problems.

MP Calls for Churches to be Stripped of Licences for Refusing to Marry Gays

September 2, 2011, United Kingdom

Churches which refuse to conduct gay marriages should be stripped of their licence, according to Member of Parliament Mike Weatherley of Hove. While marriage between people of the same sex is not legal in the UK but civil partnerships were introduced in 2005 to give couples the same legal protection as if they were wed. Mr Weatherley said according to „The Argus“: “As long as religious groups can refuse to preside over ceremonies for same-sex couples there will be inequality. “Until we untangle unions and religion in this country we will struggle to find a fair arrangement.”

Politican Plans to Sue Physicians for Offering Therapy for People Struggling With Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction

August 29, 2011, Germany

Volker Beck, member of the German Bundestag (parliament) and speaker on human rights issues of the Green party, has launched an initiative to engage the German Medical Association against the German Union of Catholic Physicians (BKÄ). On their website, the BKÄ provides informations about therapeutic options in case of unwanted same-sex attraction.

UK Employee Suspended Upon Display of Cross

August 20, 2011, United Kingdom

A UK Christian electrician who won a fight with his employer over his right to display a small Palm leaf cross in his van is now saying that the company has reneged on its agreement. 64-year-old Colin Atkinson was asked by his employers, Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) in West Yorkshire, to remove the cross after an anonymous complaint from a WDH tenant. The company threatened Atkinson with disciplinary action when he refused, but backed down when their threats prompted a public outcry and criticism from prominent religious leaders, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey.

French Daily Smashes Jesus Christ and Christianity

July 16, 2011, France

French daily „Liberation“ smashes Christianity by depicting Jesus as a loser, drug user and egocentric. The French Catholic bishops’ conference issued a statement in support of freedom of expression but saying that this requires respect of the one it actually offends. The bishops also mention that Christians always forgive.

Medical Doctor Reprimanded for Talking about Christianity to a Patient Despite Consent

May 31, 2011, United Kingdom

Richard Scott, a MD with a 28-year spotless work record, has been given a disciplinary call for sharing his faith with a patient.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Government Funding

May 31, 2011, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes in the area of government funding.

Landowner at Pilgrims' Route Prohibits Priests to Enter Property

May 14, 2011, Austria

One of the routes to the main Austrian Catholic Shrine, MariaZell, located in the Austrian mountains, leads through the forest of Mr. Josef Rothwangl. In May 2011, Mr. Rothwangl put up a sign prohibiting priests to enter his property when accompanying children or youth. He says that he was a victim of abuse by Catholic priests himself, when he was a student at a Catholic high school. It is not clear, whether such a prohibition is legally permitted or not. The social effects are in any case problematic: The measure defames and stereotypes priests by implying that all Catholic priests are child abusers.

Teacher Dismissed for Showing a Film About Abortion

March 31, 2011, France

A French history teacher was permanently dismissed for showing his students a video on abortion and talking about French abortion law.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Says Children Could Be “Infected” by Christian Beliefs

March 31, 2011, United Kingdom

The Commission which intervened in Johns v. Derby City Council argued that Christians who object to homosexual behavior or same-sex relationships should not be allowed to foster children by warning that the court that children placed with Christian parents could become “infected” with Christian beliefs.

Missionaries Seen as a Threat to the Integrity of the Country

March 31, 2011, Turkey

Missionaries and evangelists in Turkey are perceived as a real threat to both the integrity of the country and to the Muslim religion. Therefore, evangelism is regarded with suspicion and evangelists are sometimes arrested. Non-Muslim religious communities reported that they are personally being attacked. Attacks against churches and cemeteries take place as well.