NEWS

Religious Freedom

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
October 27, 2020 marks the 22nd anniversary of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRF Act), described by the U.S. State Department as “landmark legislation that—for the first time—made promoting and defending international religious freedom a specific focus of U.S. foreign policy.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
For the first time in its history, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments by teleconference on certain cases, including a number on religious liberty.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
For the first time, Religions for Peace USA organized a National Interfaith Prayer Service for Healing & Hope via Facebook and Zoom.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
In 1654, the first Jews arrived in New Amsterdam (present day New York City). Commemorating more than 350 years since that first landing, President George W. Bush proclaimed May 2006 the first annual Jewish-American Heritage Month.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
“In every battle against ignorance and bigotry we have fought, we sought greater freedom for all faiths,” said STAND International Director Edward Parkin. “Our purpose is to enable every person on this earth to believe as he or she chooses, exactly in alignment with the European Convention on Human Rights.”
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
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 gone “underground,” wearing their insignia under their clothing, as many Catholic women have done, covering their crucifixes with their sweaters or tucking them under their blouses.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
“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 for truth, decency, honor and integrity over lies, deceit, subterfuge and fraud. Truth always prevails in the end.”
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
“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,” said International STAND Director Edward Parkin.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The Declaration stands as one of the greatest milestones along humanity’s long, winding and often rocky path toward greater freedom and human rights.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
“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…. What a dream come true!” actress Sheena Chohan