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August 9, 2011
Religious Restrictions Increased for 2 Billion, Study Says
A third of the world -- about 2.2 billion people -- live in nations where restrictions on religion have substantially increased, according to a new report.
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life study, released Tuesday, also shows intolerant countries growing more hostile to religious freedom, and tolerant ones growing more accommodating.
"There seems to be somewhat of a polarization," particularly in countries with constitutional prohibitions against blasphemy, said Brian Grim, the primary researcher of the report. "When you have one set of restrictions in place then it's easier to add on."
Among those nations with the greatest increases in government religious restrictions, ranked from most to least populous, were: Egypt, France, Algeria, Uganda and Malaysia.
Among those nations where government restrictions declined, ranked from most to least populous, were: Greece, Togo, Nicaragua, Republic of Macedonia and Guinea-Bissau.
The report, culling data from 198 countries and territories from 2006 through 2009, also measured social hostility toward religious groups. North Korea, one of the most repressive regimes, could not be included for lack of reliable data.
Researchers collected statistics before the Arab Spring, but said the report may shed light on this year's uprisings across the Middle East.
"It's indisputable that increasing levels of restriction were part of the overall context within which the uprisings took place," Grim said. "Whether they were the trigger or they were just part of this trend in societies is difficult to tease apart at this point."
As other reports on religious freedom have found, it is scarcest in the Middle East and North Africa. But Europe, the study noted, has the largest proportion of countries where social hostilities related to religion rose. In France, for example, women are barred by law from wearing face-covering veils.
More than other groups, Muslims and Christians suffered harassment based on their religion. But Pew researchers noted that together, these groups comprise more than half the world's population. Smaller religious groups that suffered disproportionately, the study found, included Jews. Representing less than one percent of the world's people, Jews were harassed in 75 countries.
Overall, about 70 percent of the world lives in nations with significant religious repression -- a figure that matched that of a similar study Pew undertook two years ago. But the nations in which religious repression is increasing tend to be populous, the study's authors noted.
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Posted By: Jesse Davis | August 9, 2011 9:53 PM
If things keep going in the direction they seem headed for in the United States, it looks like many of us here who call ourselves Christians may begin to experience restrictions on voicing our beliefs. I’m talking about Christians who believe that objective ideas of what is right and wrong are delineated in the Scriptures, and who want to see scripturally expressed morality and right living continue as a part of the American way of life. So, as more and more people with power and influence come out against traditional Christian precepts, not only here, but throughout the western world, as well as all the rest of the world, we can see more and more a need to bring to the light John’s final quote of Jesus’ words and John’s response from the last few verses of Revelation: “He who testifies to these things [concerning those who would take away from that book of prophecy] says, ‘Surely, I come quickly.’” And John’s response: “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.”
This is what we need, Emmanuel, God with us on the earth again, so that the grace and peace of God’s love through Jesus, the only kind of restrictions that will never fail and will last forever after man-made restrictions have been destroyed, will be spread to every nook and cranny found all over the world for all time. That would be some of the Good News—the final solution to problems mentioned in the article—that we don’t hear enough about today. As Jesus is building his church today, he is coming to believers’ hearts and minds in spirit. But let us not forget, in the not-too-distant-future he is also coming to this earth in literal power and glory to save it and us from those trying to restrict against his power of grace, faith, and love, all about which the bible so tells us. Amen indeed. Come Lord Jesus.
Posted By: Charles | August 11, 2011 2:59 PM
Really interesting piece, and a nice comment by Charles too. I live in England, and, for the most part, it is has a similar attitude to freedom, freedom of expression, and religious toleration that America has; culturally America and the UK share a lot, even though we are also different in many ways too! Regarding Christianity in the UK, we seem to be able to live as Christians quite freely here, which is a blessing. I can only add then, that whatever our circumstances, we should hold onto to our faith, not deviating from right to left, and we should serve the Lord as best we can wherever we find ourselves.
Posted By: Tim Childs | August 21, 2011 8:43 AM
When Christ comes back, there will be no more restrictions on our faith and the way we practice it and worship God. But there's one problem we must contend with right now -- the false teaching that run through the Evangelical church. One of them is the notion of Christ's return. The Bible tells us exactly when He will return. To learn more, read my blog: http://thomascopping.authorsxpress.com/2011/10/29/when-will-the-lord-jesus-christ-return/
Posted By: Thomas | October 31, 2011 10:55 AM