Freedoms of speech and religion are under threat around the world. Religious persecution watchdog organisation International Christian Concern cites several recent instances in this disturbing trend.

Hate speech and anti-conversion laws are cropping up around the globe in what, on the surface, seems to be an effort to protect religious freedoms. In reality, these laws are generally aimed at preserving the rights of only one religion and restricting and even criminalizing the expression of others.
[…]
Sri Lanka Bill

It may be surprising to note that the most recent example of this trend is the largely Buddhist country of Sri Lanka. Seen in the West as a tolerant, meditative religion, Buddhism is the driving force in Sri Lanka’s introduction of a bill that would make it illegal to distribute religious literature or condemn any other religion, and would prohibit faith-based charities from operating openly.
[…]
India Anti-Conversion Laws

The bill being considered in Sri Lanka is based on several similar laws already in place in another unlikely country: India. India touts itself as the largest secular democracy in the world, but is in the middle of an internal struggle with Hindu extremists who want to make India a Hindu-only nation.
[…]
Apostasy and Blasphemy Laws in Muslim Countries

The laws in India and Sri Lanka, however, pale in comparison to apostasy laws that carry the death penalty for Muslims who convert to another religion. There are at least eight Muslim countries that prescribe the death penalty for apostasy, and many more where apostasy is such a stain on a family’s honor that Muslim fathers are even willing to torture and kill their own children for the offense. Many Muslim countries also have laws against blasphemy that prohibit anyone from speaking critically of the Koran or Muhammad.
[…]
Hate Speech Prohibition in UN from Muslims

Muslim countries are also seeking to make their blasphemy laws binding on the entire world through a resolution in the United Nations.

Our freedoms are God’s gifts to us to be used to worship and serve our Lord and to spread the Good News. In the face of persecution, the first believers prayed for boldness in speaking God’s Word. May that be our prayer today.

Possibly related posts

• 28 May 2009 -- The myth of Hindu tolerance
• 17 April 2009 -- Buddhist mobs threaten Christians, attack churches
• 16 April 2009 -- Church watches anxiously as Indian election begins
• 13 April 2009 -- BJP candidate charged with anti-Christian hate speech

Tags: Buddhism, Civil liberties, Hinduism, India, Islamic teaching, Persecution, Sri Lanka, United Nations
Filed under: Christianity, International, Islam, Non-Christian Religions, Religious Liberty/Persecution
2 Comments »