News

Russia added to US State Department's religious freedom 'special watch list'
The U.S. State Department has added Russia to its "special watch list" for religious freedom violators and added Pakistan to its list of "countries of particular" concern.

Atheist parents awarded $12,000 in compensation after complaining about school's Christmas decorations
An atheist couple who protested against a school's religious-themed classroom decorations was awarded the compensation by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal.

Move to call abortion and assisted suicide 'human rights' is 'evil', says Princeton professor
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has been accused of elevating individual freedom above moral considerations after recently declaring abortion and assisted suicide to be rights.

Ann Widdecombe: Royal family should put Jesus on Christmas cards, not themselves
The Royal family unveiled their official Christmas cards on Friday but former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe isn't happy that they have replaced the reason for the season with photos of themselves.

Grandma's mic gets cut when she tries to read Bible at Christmas market opening
The organisers of a Christmas market in Canada cut the mic when a grandma started to read the Christmas story during the official opening festivities.

Children are turning to YouTube for guidance in absence of role models
More than a quarter of British children say they do not have a role model they look up to in life, a new study has found.

'Christian aspect' to Christmas increases risk of terrorist attacks, says security expert
There is a heightened risk of terrorist attacks at Christmas because of the 'Christian aspect' of the holiday, a security expert has warned.

Scottish shopping centre u-turns on nativity display
A Scottish shopping centre that said it would not host a nativity display because it was 'religiously and politically neutral' has reversed its decision after complaints.

Jesus disappearing from Christmas as Santa takes over
Four in 10 Brits do not know that Jesus is a part of the Christmas story, a new poll has found.

University blog reinstates pro-life article on birth control after complaints
The Women's Center at the University of Idaho has reinstated an article that was removed from its blog because it challenged pro-choice views on abortion and birth control.

Human Rights Watch adds to condemnation of China over church arrests
Chinese authorities should 'immediately release' a pastor detained in the southwestern city of Chengdu and dozens of members of his congregation taken into custody with him, Human Rights Watch has said.

Christian Aid slams British 'double standards' over war in Yemen
Christian Aid has accused the UK government of 'double standards' in its engagement on war and peace and demanded that it stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia among other states.

Luke's Gospel: Good news for down and outs
Today we consider the nativity story according to Luke's Gospel. It's a reminder that Christmas is indeed for the 'down and outs' and spiritually that means all of us.

New medical guidance on brain-damaged patients is 'dangerous'
New guidance is putting brain-damaged patients at risk of being starved to death, the Care Not Killing alliance has warned.

New academic centre to 'recover confidence' in the Old Testament
A new academic centre has been set up at Bristol Baptist College to promote research into the relationship between the Bible and violence.

'We are beginning to rebuild everything,' says Syrian pastor
A pastor who has stayed in the Syrian city of Aleppo through years of conflict is hopeful for the future despite all the devastation.