Iran Detains Dozens Of Christians
Members of Iran’s Christian minority requested prayers Tuesday, January 27, amid reports of massive arrests of Christians, including many former Muslims, rights investigators said.
Year: 2009
Bomb Explodes Near Gaza, Threatening Ceasefire (Wrapup)
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas was threatened Tuesday, January 27, when a bomb exploded on the Israeli side of the Gaza border killing an Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldier and injuring three others, the Israeli army said.
Obama “Forcing” Christians To Embrace Homosexuality, Conservatives Warn
Conservative groups have warned that Christian business owners and others who oppose the homosexual life style may soon be forced to embrace homosexuality under new plans announced by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama Approves Funding Abortions Worldwide
Pro-life activists were weighing their options Monday, January 26, after President Barack Obama signed an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option.
Iraq Militants Kill Christian; Pope Urges Authorities To Intervene
The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has appealed to Iraqi authorities to defend minority Christians, after police confirmed that the Christian owner of a car repair shop was killed, execution-style, in Mosul.
U.S. Judge Bans Moment of Silence in Illinois Schools
Schools in the American state of Illinois were pressured Monday, January 26, to abandon a moment of silence for prayer or reflection, after a judge ruled the practice was “unconstitutional” and “forced religion” upon minors.
“Blasphemy” Christians Released In Pakistan; Violence Continues
Five Pakistani Christians who were detained and charged with “blasphemy” against Islam during April 2007 spend their first weekend in freedom Sunday, January 25, after they were freed from prison, but the news was overshadowed by reports of violence against believers, in which at two persons died.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Urges Anti Hate Speech Legislation Amid Right-Wing Attacks
Hungary’s Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has urged all political parties to urgently implement strict legislation against hate speech amid concerns over far right groups in the country. He made the comments over the weekend in Budapest at an international conference on combating racism in Hungary and elsewhere in Europe.
U.S. Supreme Court Kills Child Online Protection Act
The federal government was weighing its options Friday, January 23, after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear a case on whether to save the controversial “Child Online Protection Act” (COPA), which was heavily criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
INDIA WATCH: Christians Detained And Attacked Across India
There was renewed concern Friday, January 23, over the situation of Christians in India as several remained detained on charges of “forcible conversion” and others recovered from injuries after Hindu militants attacked homes and prayer services, Christian rights investigators said.
Governments Race To Nationalize Banks Amid Global Meltdown
Cheer, hope, and optimism seemed the main emotions during the historic inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama as the United States’ first African-American president.
Militants Firing Mortars Towards Israel; Convoy Attacked
Humanitarian aid continued to flow into Gaza on Thursday, January 23, despite nearly a dozen mortar shells being fired towards Israel so far, officials said, and reports of a Jordanian convoy being attacked by suspected Hamas militants.
Eritrea Christians Die In Prison, Nearly 3,000 Detained
At least two detained Christians have died this month in Eritrea after a “long period of torture” in a notorious military prison camp, while the number of Christians jailed in the African nation because of their faith approaches 3,000, a well-informed Christian rights group said Wednesday, January 21.
Obama Pressured To End U.S. Abstinence Education
A day after his inauguration, United States President Barack Obama faced pressure to end funding for abstinence-only sex education.
Medical Emergency Senator Kennedy; Obama Concerned
The inauguration lunch of President Barack Obama was overshadowed Tuesday, January 20, by a medical emergency involving Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy.
Barack Obama Warns Of Crisis In Inauguration Speech
Barack Hussein Obama, sworn in as the United States 44th president Tuesday, January 20, warned his nation it would face challenges ahead “amidst crisis” but said its faith in God would help it to overcome the economic troubles, wars and terrorist threats. Following is a full version of Obama’s inauguration speech in front of an estimated crowd of nearly two million people.
Pastor Warren Praying “In Jesus Name” For Obama
On January 20, 2009, Rick Warren led the United States in a prayer just before Barack Obama was sworn in as the newly elected President of the United States. Read the entire prayer.
BREAKING NEWS: Obama Sworn In As First African-American President (WRAPUP)
Barack Hussein Obama became the country’s first ever African-American president Tuesday, January 20, at an inauguration in the nation’s capital attended by as many two million people.
Sri Lanka Christians Fear Persecution As Fighting Continues
Major fighting continued Tuesday, January 20, between Sri Lanka’s navy and independence seeking Tamil rebels, adding to concerns among minority Christians who fear renewed persecution by authorities, officials and rights investigators said.
Israel Withdraws; Hamas “Rearms”
Israeli forces appeared to withdraw from the Gaza Strip Tuesday, January 20, in time for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the United States’ 44th president, but militant group Hamas said it would rearm, suggesting its conflict with Israel was not over.