Tag: Buddhist nationalism

Myanmar regulates interfaith marriage

September 23, 2015 Myanmar Buddhist nationalism, Chin, Karen, Ma Ba Tha, Marriage, Minorities, Myanmar

Myanmar’s President has signed a law requiring interfaith couples to seek permission before they can marry. “Under the law, interfaith couples have to notify the local government and post a public announcement of their intention to marry,” reports Al Jazeera. “They will be allowed to wed if there are no . . . Read More

Myanmar police accused of raping Christian, 15

April 27, 2015 Myanmar Buddhist nationalism, Chin, Churches, Kachin, Myanmar, Rape, Women

Two policemen have allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl from Myanmar’s Chin state – home to the majority of the country’s Christians. The allegations were made by the girl’s father. He filed a report at the local police station stating that two officers had taken her away on a motorbike and . . . Read More

Plight of Christians in Myanmar under-reported

February 18, 2015 Myanmar Buddhist nationalism, Chin, Crosses, Kachin, Minorities, Myanmar, Rohingya

The Huffington Post reports that, while persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in the majority Buddhist country has attracted much international attention, in Chin State – along Myanmar’s northwest border – a predominantly Christian population faces its own challenges and restrictions. “There is no improvement with regard to religious freedom . . . Read More

Imprisoned Bhutanese pastors freed early

January 16, 2015 Bhutan Bhutan, Buddhist nationalism, Proselytism

Two Bhutanese pastors charged with improper fundraising have been released from prison after serving reduced sentences and paying fines. Tandin Wangyal was released in January 2015 after paying a fine equivalent to about US $1,500. He had been sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Mon Thapa was released in . . . Read More

Give all religions a voice, Pope urges Sri Lanka

January 14, 2015 Sri Lanka Buddhist nationalism, Catholics, Colombo, Maithripala Sirisena, Pope Francis, Sri Lanka

Religious freedom must be central to Sri Lanka’s future, Pope Francis urges on his arrival in the capital, Colombo. In his arrival speech at Colombo’s airport, he said that followers of various religious traditions “have an essential role to play” in the process of the country’s reconciliation and rebuilding, adding: “For that process . . . Read More

2014: A year of rising hostility toward Christians

January 7, 2015 Global News -- No Particular Country Africa, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, Asia, Boko Haram, Buddhist nationalism, Central African Republic, China, Communism, Converts, East Africa, Fulani herdsmen, Hindu nationalism, India, Iraq, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Latin America, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle Belt, Middle East, Narendra Modi, Nigeria, North Korea, Religious freedom, Sri Lanka, Sub-Saharan Africa, Syria

While the world’s eyes were riveted to Syria and Iraq in 2014, life for Christians worsened even more profoundly in Africa, according to an annual report on religious freedom. The situation deteriorated most rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa, in countries where Islamic extremism is the main source of pressure upon Christians, . . . Read More

Buddhist monks seek to monitor Myanmar’s converts

June 2, 2014 Myanmar Buddhist nationalism, Converts, Myanmar

Myanmar is seeking public approval for a new religious-conversion law that would require anyone who wants to change religions to obtain legal permission. The proposed law, put forward by Buddhist monks, would require any Burmese citizen who plans to change religion to wait at least 90 days and seek permission from . . . Read More

Sri Lanka’s Christians protest after January attacks

January 28, 2014 Sri Lanka Anti-conversion law, Buddhist nationalism, Colombo, Protestants

More than 2,000 Christians gathered in Colombo on Sunday (January 26) to protest against a perceived lack of religious freedom in Sri Lanka, following recent attacks on Christian places of worship by Buddhist extremists. Two churches and a Christian prayer centre were attacked on Jan. 12 by Buddhist mobs claiming . . . Read More

Pressure on Christians grew in 2013

January 8, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Afghanistan, African Union, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, BJP, Buddhist nationalism, Central African Republic, Colombia, Eritrea, FARC, Hindu nationalism, India, Iraq, Islamic extremism, Kyrgyzstan, Middle East, Nigeria, North Africa, North Korea, Pakistan, Peshawar, Religious freedom, Sadad, Sharia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, UN, Yemen

More than ever, some of the hardest places for Christians to live are fragile or failed states where militant Islamist movements flourish, according to an annual report on Christian religious freedom. Pressure on Christians intensified worldwide in 2013, according to Open Doors International, a charity that provides support to Christians . . . Read More

Myanmar on the road to religious freedom

November 22, 2013 Myanmar Buddhist nationalism, Chin, Myanmar, Rape, Religious freedom

Myanmar is moving towards greater interfaith freedom of expression, but challenges remain, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s Benedict Rogers, writing for the Wall Street Journal. Rogers notes that, while the country has made great strides in recent years, there is an ongoing threat of ethnic and religious violence. However, he . . . Read More

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