All cases
FIFA Erased a Brazilian Football Player's Reference to the Christian Faith
January 11, 2016, SwitzerlandFIFA, the highest institution in the world of football, censored a reference to Jesus by Ballon d’Or candidate Neymar.
Refugee's Life Threatened After He Revealed Conversion to Christianity
January 1, 2016, GermanyA 19-year-old man told another refugee (18) that he was no longer a Muslim, but had become a Christian. The 18-year-old responded: "Then I will cut your throat. For this, I do not even need permission from IS. "
Image of St. John the Evangelist Banned from Rochester Train Station
December 27, 2015, United KingdomNetwork Rail, partly funded by taxpayer money, argued it was "overtly Christian" and that it would offend "multi-cultural values".
German Newspaper Refuses to Publish Church's Advertisement
December 20, 2015, GermanyThe Weser-Kurier in Bremen has refused to publish an advertisement of a local Evangelical church containing a bible passage.
Archbishop Disinvited from Elementary School Pre-Christmas Visit
December 2, 2015, ItalySchool officials point to respect for the "multicultural character" of their student body as the reason.
Religious Images Prohibited in School Christmas Card Contest
December 2, 2015, SpainThe prohibition was imposed by a secular parents' association in Cantabria (Cantabria FAPA) when they announced the annual card-drawing contest.
Lord's Prayer Advertisement Produced by JustPray.uk Banned in Cinemas
November 23, 2015, United KingdomThe advertisement shows the Lord’s Prayer being recited by a members of the public ranging from bodybuilders to children.
City Reduces Funding for Holy Week and Refuses to Fund to Corpus Christi
November 23, 2015, SpainThe Department of Culture in Palma de Mallorca has reduced municipal funding for events during the week leading up to Easter (known as “Holy Week” or “Semana Santa”, famous for grand processions) to just 3.000 euros, and has not allocated any funding to the important Catholic feast of Corpus Christi (known simply as “Corpus”).
Arrests in Counter-Demonstration during Students for Life Procession
November 14, 2015, AustriaThe march against abortion by more than 100 participants in Innsbruck was disrupted by counter-demonstrators.
Association of French Mayors Recommend Against Nativity Scenes on Public Property
November 13, 2015, FranceThe Association issued a "good secular conduct" handbook to local town officials to assist them in their decision-making about the installation of crèche and nativity displays.
Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to Investigate Catholic Church's Marriage Pamphlet
November 12, 2015, OtherTransgender politician, Martine Delaney, lodged an anti-discrimination complaint in September and on November 12, the commissioner announced it will begin investigation.
City of Toronto Threatened with Lawsuit after Banning Christian Music Festival
November 3, 2015, OtherThe City of Toronto is being threatened with legal action for refusing to grant a Christian group a permit to use a prominent downtown square for its annual musical festival next year, all because the city determined that singing the name of Jesus in the public venue contravenes city policy against “proselytizing.”
Two French Evangelicals Convicted for Leaflet on Faith and Homosexuality
November 2, 2015, FranceThe correctional court of Angoulême (Bordeaux) convicted two men of “incitement to discrimination against a group of persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Prison Minister Fired for Preaching "Homophobic" Bible Verses
October 31, 2015, United KingdomReverend Barry Trayhorn, volunteering as a chaplain at a prison for sex offenders, recited verses from Corinthians which include homosexuality in a long list of sins, along with adultery, theft and drunkenness during a service.
Case update: Christian Punished for Praying with Colleague Allowed to Appeal
October 8, 2015, United KingdomA Christian disciplined by an NHS trust for praying with a colleague has won permission to appeal an employment tribunal’s decision against her.
Counter-Demonstrators Attempt to Block Berlin’s March for Life
September 19, 2015, GermanyMore than 7,000 pro-life demonstrators took part in the March for Life 2015 in Berlin. About 300 of a total of 1500 counter-demonstrators attempted to block the march. Between these groups stood as many as 1,000 police officers.
British "Values Monitor" Says Opposing Homosexuality Could Be a Crime
September 18, 2015, United KingdomVoicing criticism of homosexuality “might be breaking the law”, a British values monitor claimed.
Swiss Evangelical Party's Office Attacked for Supporting Pro-Life Demonstration
September 16, 2015, SwitzerlandThe Zurich offices of the Swiss Evangelische Volkspartei (EVP) as well as the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and humanitarian organisations Tearfund and Opportunity were attacked by vandals.
German Left Threatens to Disrupt the "March For Life"
September 8, 2015, GermanyThe German left political party (Die Linke) is organising to disrupt the annual German "March for Life" for the protection of the unborn, the sick, and the aged that will take place in Berlin on the 19th of September. In response, the German Association for Christian Culture (Deutsche Vereinigung für eine christliche Kultur) responded that by doing so, Die Linke is threatening to infringe upon the rights to freedom of assembly and expression and noting that the law recognizes the basic human right to life from the moment of conception.
Kindergarten Teacher Fired for Explaining Christmas Story
August 21, 2015, AustriaA city-run kindergarten in Vienna has fired a teacher because she “violated the kindergarten’s neutral stance on religion” by explaining that on Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This was in response to the children's questions about the holiday. In the letter informing the teacher of the school board’s decision to fire her, one reads that city-run kindergartens “accompany children of diverse religious faiths as well as without religious faith; therefore the religious meanings of traditional feasts are not mentioned and must instead be replaced by other content (for example during advent by themes such as ‘family’, ‘friendship’, or ‘community’). You have not followed this approach, but instead informed the children several times … about the Christian meaning of Christmas”. The teacher explains, "I have answered only the questions of the children . . . I am a Christian, but not a religion teacher."
Silent National Christian-Inspired Protest Mocked By Opponents
May 24, 2015, ItalyOn 24th of May 2015, an Italian network called Sentinelle in piedi ("Standing Watchmen“) organized a protest against the proposed draft laws on "homophobia" and same-sex unions and expressed their dissenting views by standing for an hour in silence at over 100 public squares all over Italy. The reason for that is the belief that new laws, if approved, would curtail freedom of speech for Christians. Opponents used offensive slogans and provocative gestures, including simulating homosexual acts. The participants of the Sentinelle in piedi were partly hindered by the protests. Opponents were mostly LGBT activists.
Disruption, Threats, and Insults at a Catholic Procession
May 14, 2015, ItalyA group of Muslims disrupted a Catholic procession in the Italian municipality of Conselice which was held in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reportedly seeing the procession as provocation, the group started to threathen and insult Catholics and claimed that the procession offended Islam. Participants were scared and shocked by this aggression.
Attack at Marriage Referendum Event Causes Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction
May 13, 2015, IrelandA 10-year-old girl suffered a severe allergic reaction after an egg attack at a "No-Campaign" event in Meath, Ireland. "Yes-Campaigners" threw objects, including eggs, at people who were expressing opposition to same-sex marriage. "No-Campaign" leader Mr. Manning said that the atmposphere created by "Yes-Campaigners" was "toxic”.
Pro-Marriage Posters Removed
May 1, 2015, IrelandMothers and Fathers Matter, a group that urged people to vote “No” in May’s gay marriage referendum in Ireland, said there was a campaign of harassment and intimidation from those on the “Yes” side of the debate. Posters were torn and removed in Dublin and elsewhere at the beginning of May 2015. Pictures of this act have been celebrated as an "act of bravery" on social media.
Hacker Attacks Vatican Website
April 16, 2015, InternationalTwice in one week, the Vatican website was partly inaccessible due to attacks from hackers. On Twitter someone named "Turk Hack Team Herakles" claimed responsibility, saying he would continue until the pope apologized for referring to a Turkish genocide against Armenians 100 years ago.
Employment Tribunal Hears Christian Educator "Rightly" Dismissed for Faith
March 5, 2015, United KingdomChristian nursery educator, Sarah Mbuyi, was dismissed from her job after "gross misconduct" for saying that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman in conversation with a colleague. In an employment tribunal hearing, witnesses testified that Christian views on the topic should not be expressed in the workplace.
Journalists’ Association Displays Anti-Christian Bias
January 10, 2015, CroatiaA Croatian journalist was reprimanded by her professional association for calling abortion murder in an online article. While anti-Christian expressions are generally accepted as "a matter of style“, her Christian-inspired opinion was not tolerated.
Priest Hospitalized After Attack During Silent Pro-Family Manifestation in Rovereto
October 5, 2014, ItalyOn Sunday, 5th of October, silent demonstrations against “gay marriage” took place throughout Italy under the name “standing sentinels” (“Sentinelle in Piedi”). During the gathering in Rovereto a group of anarchists demanded that the Sentinels leave and started to attack them. Two people, a priest and a young woman, had to been taken to hospital.
Attack on Pro-Life Activist during Anti-Concordat Demonstration in Zagreb
September 20, 2014, CroatiaDuring an anti-concordat demonstration organized by the non-governmental organization „The Voice of Reason - A Movement for a Secular Croatia“ on the Flower Square in Zagreb, a counter demonstrator was attacked. Mrs. Ružica Ćavar, who is the President of the Croatian Pro-Life Movement, was carrying a poster expressing her opposition. A man attacked and injured Mrs. Ćavar so that she had to be transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The police arrested the attacker.
US Teacher Documents 300 Cases of Anti-Christian Acts by Gay Activists
July 1, 2014, InternationalRobert Oscar Lopez, a teacher for Literature and Classics in Los Angeles, documented 300 cases of overboarding responses of gay activists to opponents. These incidents mainly took place in Europe and the US. Some are directed against Christians, others are more of a political nature. Some cases might seem self-inflicted, many do not.
Police Advice: Record Christian Street Preacher To Sue Them
June 30, 2014, United KingdomPolice advice people to record a Christian street preacher Mr Michael Overd on a video if he makes offensive remarks as some passers-by in High Street were upset when he expressed his views about homosexuality and sex outside marriage.
Street Evangelist Tried for Talking about the Live of Mohammed in Taunton
June 27, 2014, United KingdomStreet evangelist, Mike Overd, is being prosecuted for an alleged religious aggravation public order offence. The charges followed a complaint to police in Taunton, that Mike Overd made a comparison between the life of Jesus and the life of Mohammed, allegedly "causing offense."
Christian Worker in London Claims She was Fired for Refusing to Read Children’s Books About Gay Couples
April 30, 2014, United KingdomSarah Mbuyi, 30 year-old nursery worker from north London will bring her case to court as she claims she was fired on the grounds of her religious beliefs because she said that she would have scruples about reading children’s stories involving same-sex couples.
Disney Excludes the Name of God in Movies
April 25, 2014, InternationalIn an interview on a National Public Radio program called Fresh Air, one of the Oscar-winning songwriters of Let It Go, from Disney’s film Frozen, said that "one of the only places you have to draw the line at Disney is with religious things, the word God." According to The Guardian, “Lopez went on to say: ‘You can say it in Disney but you can't put it in the movie.’”
Catholic Lay Blog Attacked
April 18, 2014, FranceThe Catholic lay blog “Le Salon Beige” was put out of order by attacks against the server from an unknown source. This happened three times in four days, one time on Good Friday, the other times on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Local Priest in Trèbes Reproached for Wearing a Cross
April 1, 2014, FranceOne of the officials working at a voting station in the town of Trèbes, France, reproached the local parish priest for wearing a cross around his neck saying that it was too ostensible a sign of religious adherence.
Film Discussing the Problem of Pornography and Prostitution Canceled in Tours
March 29, 2014, FranceThe Cinéma National Populaire (CNP) canceled a showing and debate with the Swiss producer Philippe Decourroux on his DVD "Prostitution et pornographie, enjeu de société?" Which translated means, “Prostitution and Pornography, Concern of Society?” The producer denounced this move as anti-Christian. According to Decourroux, the CNP thought the film to be an attempt of Christian “proselytism”.
Hate Mail Received for Disagreeing with Same-Sex Marriage
February 12, 2014, IrelandBreda O’Brien, an Irish teacher, journalist and pro-life feminist has been receiving hate mail from people because of an article she wrote disagreeing with same-sex marriage and discussing homophobia and liberal intolerance.
Elderly Street Preacher Falsely Arrested and Assaulted by Police
February 11, 2014, United Kingdom73-year-old Bill Edwards was ordered by a police constable to stop preaching outside the Magistrates Court House in Banbury as some people in the building found his preaching “offensive”. He refused to move and was arrested and charged with assault and breach of peace. In the police station Mr Edwards was grabbed by six officers and pinned to the ground.
Street Preacher Arrested for Mentioning "Sexual Sin" in Scotland
January 8, 2014, United KingdomTony Miano, a street preacher addressing lunchtime shoppers at Dundee High Street, Scotland, was arrested and held in custody to appear before the Dundee Sheriff Court. He was talking about “sexual sin” including “adultery, promiscuity and homosexual practice”. A woman called the police, who on arrival snatched away the camera of a friend who was filming the preaching and arrested the street preacher.
LGBT-Friendly Guidelines Limit Freedom of the Press
December 16, 2013, ItalyThe Italian National Anti-Discrimination Office published guidelines on how to report on LGTB issues. The guidelines restrict freedom of the press and journalists’ freedom of reporting by requiring, amongst other things, that they must positively promote homosexuality and gay marriage and must not speak of “the right of a child to a mother or father, e.g. a male or female role model”.
Insults and Incitement to Violence Surround a Pro-Marriage Referendum
December 10, 2013, CroatiaThe Christian position was discredited in the liberal-leftist media, portals and on Facebook, as harmful to society. Media asserted that believers should not be permitted to express their religious beliefs in public. Inciting comments were not always deleted by the portals. Fifty reports were filed with the police due to verbal and physical violence in response to the attitude toward marriage as a union of a woman and a man. Criminal charges have been filed.
St. Eulalia, Patroness of Madrid, Secularized
October 10, 2013, SpainAn initiative driven by Ignasi Ventura Diaz hopes to reinstate the cross symbol on images of St. Eulalia, patroness of Madrid. Currently, public images of the saint contain a young girl on an eagle instead of the traditional cross upon which the saint was crucified at the age of thirteen. Groups such as e-Christians wish for the City Council to acknowledge the Christian roots of St. Eulalia, currently called “La Laia”, a nickname which also hides the Christian roots of the city’s patroness.
Croatian Television Breaks Agreement with Catholic Church
July 19, 2013, CroatiaCroatian Television (HTV) one-sidedly cancelled the autonomy of its religious program, which had been guaranteed by the Agreement signed in 2000 by HTV and the Croatian Conference of Bishops (in reference to the implementation of the international contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia).
European Affairs Minister Forced to Resign
July 11, 2013, IrelandLucinda Creighton, European Affairs Minister of Ireland had to resign after voting against the Government on an amendment to the abortion bill. The so-called “whip” does not permit to deviate from party policy. Mrs. Creighton however felt that she could not compromise on matters of “life and death”.
Street Preacher Arrested For Preaching on Sexual Morality
July 1, 2013, United KingdomThe police arrested a street preacher in Wimbledon under suspicion of offences under the Public Order Act. He had been speaking about sexual immorality in general and the importance to abstain from such practices.
Police Brutality Directed Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
June 26, 2013, FranceTear gas attacks and beatings by the police, arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, illegal finger print storing, and countless other human rights violations were conducted by the French police against a peaceful mass demonstration opposing government policy on gay marriage and adoption.
Gathering Disturbed by Insults and Shouting in Montpellier
June 13, 2013, FranceA gathering of “Les Veilleurs”, a peaceful manifestation group in favour of the traditional family of was disturbed by shouting from students and radical LGBT activists. Anti-Catholic insults were yelled as “Les Veilleurs” gathered to pray and sing together as they do every Tuesday evening before the prefecture in Montpellier.
German Publicists Suffer Defamatory Statements
June 10, 2013, GermanyBerger, chief editor of the gay magazine “Men”, said that some publicits made defamatory statements and should not be allowed on TV any more. He had labeled Gabriele Kuby, a Catholic German publicist and also Martin Lohmann, chief editor of the Catholic television channel K-TV, and Katherina Reiche, member of the German parliament, as “homophobic protagonists” and had demanded: “Homo-haters get out of the talk shows”. Gabriele Kuby renounced these false accusations and explicitly stated that she is not homophobic and that the term “homo-hater” was invented by the homo-lobby to criminalize critique of the “homosexual movement”.
Overly Strict Hate Speech Legislation
May 21, 2013, FranceHate speech laws are very strict in France. Since the law of December 8th, 2004, any discrimination in speech against homosexuals is forbidden. Christians for example are unable to publically say that having a same-sex relationship is a sin. The consequence is that nobody criticizes homosexuality in itself on TV, radio or in newspapers.