Daily media briefing
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Thu, 23 May 2024
Parents challenge religious influence on primary school pupils in Northern Ireland
A report compiled by a group of parents - Parents for Inclusive Education NI - are challenging the power of churches over primary school pupils in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Telegraph*
Losing our religion: Scots with faith in minority for the first time, latest Census shows – NSS quoted
The majority of Scots now describe themselves as having no religious faith amid a dramatic collapse in church congregations.
Daily Mail
Jersey: Assisted dying plans for terminally ill approved
Jersey politicians have voted to approve plans to allow assisted dying for those with a terminal illness "causing unbearable suffering".
BBC
5Pillars sanctioned by regulator after interview with far-right activist
Muslim news site 5Pillars has been ordered to remove or significantly alter a podcast episode featuring an interview with the founder of the far-right group Patriotic Alternative that characterised Jews as wielding "disproportionate" influence across wider society and as people who may "walk among us and look like us" but who are not.
The Jewish Chronicle
London Catholic school hits back after being called 'socially segregated'
A row has broken out after a humanist organisation accused one of London's top comprehensive schools of being "socio-economically and religiously segregated."
Evening Standard
From schools to the Olympics, how France’s staunch secularism affects religion in public life
As the world's eyes turn to France, host of the Olympics in two months, its principle of laïcité, which defines the role of religion in public life, is getting more scrutiny.
Associated Press
Texas woman fainted from blood loss during miscarriage after doctors ‘refused medical care’ due to abortion ban
Restrictive and vague abortion laws in Texas caused one family to experience a "nightmare" as they were unable to get medical care during a miscarriage, they claim.
The Independent*
Wed, 22 May 2024
Most Scots have no religion – census – NSS quoted
For the first time, a majority of people in Scotland say they are not religious, according to new census data, external.
BBC
Census Scotland: Shift away from religion a ‘watershed moment’ – NSS quoted
The majority of people in Scotland say they have no religion, according to the latest figures from Scotland's national Census.
The Scotsman
Majority of Scots have no religion after decline in number of Christians - NSS quoted
Most Scots have no religion for the first time, the country's census has found, following a huge decline in people identifying as Christian.
The Telegraph*
‘Defending education – protecting teachers from blasphemy claims in the modern classroom’
"The shadows of censorship and dogma have perennially loomed over the hallowed halls of education. Recent incidents have once again thrust this issue into the spotlight, making it clear that teachers urgently need protections against blasphemy claims to ensure their safety, uphold freedom of expression and maintain the integrity of our education system."
Bright Blue
‘Labour must define “Islamophobia” very carefully’
While the next election is beginning to look like a foregone conclusion, there is all still to play for on what Labour in power does – certainly on the question of an Islamophobia definition.
Reaction
Vatican wants to upgrade relations with China, top cardinal says
The Vatican would like to establish a permanent office in China in what would be a major upgrade of diplomatic relations with Beijing, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said on Tuesday.
Reuters
US: Southern Baptist pastor charged with obstructing federal sex abuse probe
A Southern Baptist pastor in Greensboro, North Carolina, was arraigned in federal district court in New York City on Tuesday on charges he falsified records in a sexual abuse case, part of the Justice Department's probe of the nation's largest Protestant denomination.
The Washington Times
Tue, 21 May 2024
Jersey politicians to debate assisted dying service plans
A debate on whether an assisted dying service should be established in Jersey is expected to begin later.
BBC
How my family survived sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Growing up, a man was sexually abused by an older church member. Then his daughter suffered the same fate.
Vice UK
Does the Archbishop of Canterbury matter politically?
Justin Welby's frequent interventions on policy are diminishing his office's political weight.
New Statesman*
European Court upholds Belgium's school head scarf ban
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday upheld a head scarf ban at secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium's northern region.
Reuters
Meta approved political ads in India that incited religious violence
The Facebook and Instagram owner Meta approved a series of AI-manipulated political adverts during India's election that spread disinformation and incited religious violence, according to a report shared exclusively with the Guardian.
The Guardian
Nigerian activists condemn mass ‘forced marriages’ of 100 girls and young women
Human rights activists in Nigeria have launched a petition to stop a plan to push 100 girls and young women into marriage in a mass ceremony, which has caused outrage in the west African country.
The Guardian
UN experts call for release of Nigerian blasphemy convict
United Nations (UN) experts have urged Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was convicted of blasphemy for writing a song and sharing it on a social messaging service and sentenced to death in 2020.
Arise News
Jews hate the human race, says Al Jazeera’s top military analyst
Al Jazeera's leading military analyst attacked Jews as fuelled by hatred against the rest of humanity in a social media tirade.
The Jewish Chronicle
Mon, 20 May 2024
Teachers to get free speech protection from blasphemy claims
Teachers will be given protection from claims of blasphemy by religious groups under proposals set out in a government-commissioned report.
The Times*
GP suspended for circumcising baby without mother’s consent faces new inquiry
A GP who was suspended for circumcising a baby without his mother's consent will be the subject of a review after separately circumcising a boy without the father's agreement.
The Times*
The Times view on blasphemy laws: Freedom of Speech
New laws protecting the rights of teachers to criticise religion are to be introduced to prevent intimidation by activists accusing staff of blasphemy.
The Times*
Pandemic has cost Church of England 170,000 worshippers a week
The pandemic has cost the Church of England nearly 170,000 worshippers, the latest weekly attendance figures show, despite a recent rebound.
The Telegraph*
Retired vicar charged with rape of a child
A former Anglican vicar has been charged with rape and gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14.
Premier Christian News
Man jailed for life over Israel-Gaza ‘revenge’ murder in Hartlepool
A man who murdered a pensioner in the street in "revenge" for the Israel-Gaza conflict has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 45 years.
Jewish News
Russian Church branded security threat to Estonia
Members of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, voted overwhelmingly on 6 May in favour of designating the Russian Orthodox Church as an "institution that is sponsoring the military aggression of the Russian Federation".
Church Times*
Australia: Parents call for US chastity speaker talk at Catholic high school to be cancelled
Parents at a Catholic school on the NSW Central Coast are outraged that a conservative American author and chastity promoter is scheduled to speak to female students this week.
ABC
Charity Commission failed whistleblowers raising sex abuse allegations, says watchdog
The Charity Commission has failed whistleblowers who raised allegations of exploitation and sexual abuse in the religious aid sector, its oversight body has found.
The Telegraph*
Fri, 17 May 2024
“Misogynistic”: Secular group calls for review of charity law around religion - NSS quoted
The National Secular Society lodged concerns with the watchdog after Rosyth Baptist Church's pastor claimed "a husband is the head of his wife" and a wife "that submits to her husband's leadership and respects him is easier to love".
TFN
Speaker’s chaplain named as next Bishop of Sodor & Man
The Isle has its own parliament, the Tynwald — one of the oldest in the world — in which the bishop has a seat ex officio, though this is currently being challenged.
Church Times*
Concerns raised about progress of integrated education made by Stormont
A lack of funding for integrated education and a failure by the Department of Education to recognise evidence from parental ballots are among concerns cited by an organisation representing the sector.
Irish News
Student who said she was ‘full of pride’ at Hamas October 7 attack has visa revoked
Dana Abuqamar, 19, was filmed at a protest one day after the attack describing how she was "full of joy" and "proud that Palestinian resistance has come to this point."
LBC
Smyth review delayed again
Smyth was found to have beaten at least 22 boys but died before he could be imprisoned. He was believed to have committed these acts while chairman of the Iwerne camps - Christian youth holidays for public school boys aimed at fostering their Christian faith.
Premier Christian News
Francis clarifies blessing same-sex unions: “That cannot be done”
"To bless a homosexual-type union, however, goes against the given right, the law of the Church. But to bless each person, why not?" he added.
Yahoo! News
Thu, 16 May 2024
Survey reveals school leaders against legally required collective worship in England schools – NSS quoted
The survey by the National Secular Society (NSS) said the government must recognise the "divisive and deeply unpopular nature" of the collective worship law in schools and repeal it.
Premier Christian News
Labour vote share down a third in some majority Muslim areas, analysis reveals
Labour lost 33 percentage points of vote share in areas that are majority Muslim in the recent local elections, according to exclusive analysis for ITV News by Number Cruncher Politics.
ITV
Patrols stepped up to reassure Jewish communities following alleged terror plot
Three men appeared in court on Tuesday charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plan designed to cause "multiple fatalities using automatic weapons".
BBC
Girlfriend of Islamist terrorist drill rapper guilty of failing to report his attack plans
Al-Arfat Hassan's girlfriend and the mother of a terrorist fan of the rapper have both been convicted of failing to report plans for mass casualty attack.
Evening Standard
Worshippers locked in Nigeria mosque and burnt to death
At least 11 worshippers have been killed and dozens others injured after a man attacked a mosque in Nigeria's northern Kano state, police say.
BBC
His dreadlocks shaved by prison guards, Rastafarian man turns to Supreme Court
A federal appeals court condemned the "stark and egregious" violation of Damon Landor's religious freedom. But it said he could not sue the prison officials.
New York Times*
Wed, 15 May 2024
‘Mandatory Christian worship has no place in modern education’ – NSS opinion
"Gathering the school community together for regular assemblies can be useful in transmitting shared societal values and consider moral issues. But compelling schools to hold acts of religious worship is neither helpful nor desirable in achieving these aims", writes NSS chief executive Stephen Evans
CapX
Questions over plans to water down mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse – NSS quoted
The chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has criticised the government over watering down plans for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.
Children & Young People Now
Catholic school caught up in row over abolition of 50% cap
Education secretary criticised for launching faith reforms at school with fewer pupils on free school meals. A central criticism of faith schools is that their ability to select based on faith makes them less inclusive.
Schools Week
‘Change must come’: One man’s fight to end Northern Ireland’s segregated education
Just 7% of pupils in the North attend integrated schools. Former priest David Rice is battling to change this.
The Irish Times
Men accused of plot to attack Jews with machine guns in north-west England
Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein appear in court charged with preparing acts of terrorism.
The Guardian
Makin apologises as Smyth abuse review is pushed further into the future
The author of the long-overdue report on the violent abuse perpetuated by John Smyth has apologised this week, saying that his review of the case, commissioned by the Church of England, will not be published this month as previously promised.
Church Times*
Investigation sought of abuse allegations at Christian boarding schools in Missouri
"This is a structural problem," said David Clohessy, a longtime advocate for abused children and former leader of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.
LA Times
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