News

In the year since the ban, which applies to teachers, police officers, judges, prison guards and other public servants, many religious Canadians in the public sector have seen their lives change. Some who can, have simply... READ MORE

The Secretary-General of the United Nations joined with the U.S. State Department and India’s External Affairs Ministry in denouncing the incident in which dozens of civilians were killed and injured. READ MORE

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, people of Christchurch gathered at the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in a simple but powerful gesture of community. READ MORE

The lone bright spot in the terror was the courage and compassion of the community’s Sikhs, many of whom risked their lives to give food and shelter to their Muslim neighbors. READ MORE

“Today is a total victory for religious freedom,” said International STAND Director Edward Parkin. “The Superior Court of California’s decision to uphold the sanctity with which religious agreements are born is a vindication... READ MORE

In the wake of a rash of hate crimes against individuals and institutions of the Jewish faith, people from many religions gathered in Mineola, New York, to protest the attacks. READ MORE

Continuing a tradition established by Pope Paul VI in 1968, Pope Francis proclaimed January 1, 2020, the 53rd World Day of Peace. In a message commemorating the special day, he described peace as “a journey made together... READ MORE

While the world’s Jewish community came together to celebrate the Festival of Lights this week, three anti-Semitic attacks occurred in New York City in the span of 24 hours. READ MORE

The STAND team extends its wishes for a bright, happy holiday season to friends, allies and all those across the globe working to make the warmth of these few precious weeks a reality year-round, and to end suffering, hardship... READ MORE

A nationwide survey of 6,364 U.S. adults confirmed that the majority of Americans value churches and religious organizations . According to the poll by the Pew Research Center, 55 percent believe that churches and religious... READ MORE

According to a national survey of 1,639 adults released earlier this month by CNN, a substantial majority of Americans feel that the nation’s increasing diversity is a good thing. READ MORE

“Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing. They are enshrined in articles... READ MORE

“Our hearts go out to the victims of the El Paso and Dayton shootings and their families. We stand with you, and, in so doing, join with all Americans who despise hate and discrimination in their many forms,” said STAND’s... READ MORE

Hailing the study as the “first-of-its-kind,” the university released a statement in which Chunara said, “We found that more targeted, discriminatory tweets posted in a city related to a higher number of hate crimes.... READ MORE

“STAND is proud to participate alongside officials of the Church of Scientology both in this historic Ministerial and the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, which has played a vital role in making this event possible,”... READ MORE

Nat Hentoff, the iconic journalist who had written for the publication since 1958 and was revered as “The Voice of the Voice,” was among the many staff terminations. In 2008, Ortega fired Hentoff via telephone. READ MORE

The Declaration stands as one of the greatest milestones along humanity’s long, winding and often rocky path toward greater freedom and human rights. READ MORE

“For 10 years, I’ve been telling people about the importance of human rights and mentioning the United Nations … but yesterday, I not only attended a Summit at the United Nations, I was given a Human Rights Hero Award….... READ MORE

During his tenure as Editor-in-Chief of The Village Voice, numerous arrests and prosecutions were conducted in connection with the sex trafficking of children via Backpage.com. As the Editor-in-Chief, how could it be... READ MORE

A religious upbringing can greatly improve your child’s future. A new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found a key correlation between an early religious upbringing, and life outcomes in early adulthood. READ MORE

Hate-Inspired Violence Against Religions Hits New High Across the globe, religions are under attack. These assaults have taken the form of hate speech through all forms of media, legal persecution, graffiti plastered over... READ MORE

Initially filed by Ms. Breest on December 15, 2017, the lawsuit accuses Haggis of abusing his position as a member of the “Hollywood elite” to rape a woman less than half his age. READ MORE

Many Scientologists and non-Scientologists have contributed their writing and their passion to the STANDLeague website since its launch in February 2017, establishing its vital role in fighting discrimination, providing truth,... READ MORE

“The free exercise of one’s religious beliefs is the cornerstone of any free society,” said Edward Parkin, STAND’s International Director. READ MORE

This latest disaster points to how many such horrific acts of unspeakable violence are now carried out against people in their houses of worship, regardless of their religion. READ MORE

One positive that has surfaced is the agreed-upon goal of all concerned to restore this iconic structure to even greater grandeur. READ MORE

So clear were the facts and the law that the Court of Appeal determined that the museum had no further rights of appeal. The Court’s July 10 decision was final. READ MORE

“The concept of bringing people of all faiths together through friendly communication and the open exchange of ideas is one that should inspire—and can change—the world.” READ MORE

“We stand with the Muslim community, Christchurch, New Zealand, and all those affected by this insane act of bigotry and destruction,” said International STAND Director Edward Parkin. “There are no words that can undo... READ MORE

In a Jewish cemetery near Strasbourg, France, on February 19, vandals used the cover of night to deface nearly 100 of these sacred memorials, spray-painting them with swastikas and anti-Semitic phrases. READ MORE