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A new directive proposed by the European Union could further restrict the freedom of Christians to express their faith. The proposed EU Equal Treatment Directive purports to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion and sexual orientation from the provision of goods (such as books) and services (such as a hotel room). Under the proposed terms of the Directive, if someone does or says anything when providing the goods or services that someone finds offensive, they can be sued for an unlimited amount of compensation for harassment. The definition in the directive of what constitutes harassment is so vague that it allows an individual to accuse someone of discrimination even if none is meant. For example, once someone decides to perceive an offer of prayers or words of comfort by a hospital chaplain as offensive, that person can bring a legal action against the chaplain and the hospital. Under the directive, the burden of proof will lie with the chaplain to disprove the allegation. The Directive also contains a number of proposals that will limit the freedom of expression of broadcasters, the press, teachers and religious organisations like student CUs. | |
Religious Persecution | Evangelicals Now - October 2009 |
Divorce and widowhood have an enduring, long-term harmful impact on health and, while people who get married and stay married may enjoy better health than those who stay single, losing a spouse can take a significant health toll, a study published in September revealed. Researchers at the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, conducted a study involving 8,652 people aged 51 to 61 and found that divorced people have 20% more chronic illnesses, such as cancer, than married people. | |
Health | Evangelicals Now - October 2009 |
The World Council of Churches in September called on Pakistan to repeal the mandatory death penalty for blasphemy in the country’s penal code. The WCC’s governing body, which met in Geneva from August 26 to September 2, issued a statement on September 1 urging Pakistan to ‘guarantee the rights of all religious minorities in the country’. The church council said the law has become a ‘major source of victimisation and persecution’ of religious minorities. | |
Religion/Spirituality | Evangelicals Now - October 2009 |
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