All Freedom of Speech articles
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Opinion
Mark Zuckerberg’s changes to Facebook are a gift and a danger to Christians
Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that Meta would be reducing censorship and removing fact-checkers. Lani Charlwood, chair of Christians in Media, reflects on the challenges and opportunities it brings
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Opinion
The first conviction for silent prayer in British history should terrify us all
The conviction of Adam Smith-Connor for silent prayer inside an abortion clinic “buffer zone” marks an era-defining moment. The law needs clarifying urgently, says Lois McLatchie-Millar, before the UK’s human right’s record becomes an international laughing stock
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Opinion
Arrested for praying? Justice has finally been done, but the fight isn’t over
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has won £13,000 payout and an apology from police after being arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. It’s good news, but freedom of speech could still be restricted in the UK, warns the Evangelical Alliance’s Danny Webster
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Interviews
The Rishi Sunak interview: ‘Christians and Conservatives share the same values’
In this exclusive interview with Premier Christianity, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak explains why he believes Christians should back the Conservatives in the election, and responds to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s criticisms over his Rwanda policy
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Opinion
As a Christian journalist, I do not worship at the altar of Julian Assange
Simply publishing information that others would prefer to remain hidden is not journalism, says Tim Wyatt. Here’s why he is struggling with those who wish to laud the WikiLeaks founder as some kind of hero of free speech
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News Analysis
Why are banks closing the accounts of these Christians?
Financial institutions are guilty of discriminating against Christians. That’s the claim of Richard Fothergill and Mike Davidson, both of whom are prominent Christians who have recently had their bank accounts closed. Are banks trying to force those with unpopular views out of public life? Tim Wyatt investigates
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Opinion
3 biblical principles on freedom of speech
Transgender rights protesters were unsuccessful in their campaign to prevent Kathleen Stock from speaking at the Oxford Union this week. The Bible doesn’t specifically address the topic of freedom of speech, but it does provide Christians with these helpful principles, explains CARE’s Peter Ladd
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Opinion
In an absurd move, Brighton Uni is banning the word ‘Christmas’. It won’t stop me talking about Jesus
A university issuing guidance to avoid the word Christmas would have once provoked outrage in James Mildred. But nowadays, he’s learning to shrug his shoulders and focus on something far more important
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Opinion
If you're free to worship God, these 3 other freedoms will follow
This year’s Reith Lectures are underway. And they’re a fascinating reminder that serving God is perfect freedom, says George Pitcher
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Opinion
Jesus was the king of silent protest. He’d be proud of the German football players
As Germany posed for a team photo, they placed their hands over their mouth in protest against FIFA’s sanctions of the One Love armband. George Pitcher ponders the power of silent protest
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Opinion
As a Christian I’m worried that Islam is above criticism
The British government may have decided not to formally define Islamophobia, but many councils and political parties already have, says Tim Dieppe. And that makes Islam the only religion in the UK to be beyond criticism
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Opinion
Even silent prayer is banned inside abortion clinic buffer zones. There’s no place for them in a democracy
It is now illegal to pray outside abortion clinics in Bournemouth. The government is planning to implement a similar UK-wide law. This is a serious erosion of our religious freedoms warns Danny Webster from the Evangelical Alliance
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Opinion
Salman Rushdie's attempted murder is an attack on religious freedom
The stabbing of the author of The Satanic Verses and an old college photo of assassinated Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, reminds George Pitcher that living self-sacrificially is a key tenet of the Christian faith
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Opinion
Dear Facebook, death threats are morally repugnant - even in war
Whatever we think of Putin and the invasion of Ukraine, Jesus calls us to love our enemy, not wish death upon them.
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Opinion
What’s the problem with banning conversion therapy?
Praying for a gay Christian teenager who says they do not want to engage in sexual activity, could become a crime if some definitions of conversion therapy are adopted by the government, says the Evangelical Alliance’s Peter Lynas
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Opinion
Banning online anonymity is a seriously bad idea, and could jeopardise our freedom to share the gospel
In the wake of the tragic murder of Sir David Amess, some politicians have suggested ending the ability to be anonymous online. But requiring individuals to verify their identity won’t end online abuse, and it could even put persecuted Christians at risk
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Opinion
Oxford University apologised for hosting a Christian event. But was it really an attack on religious freedom?
Protecting free speech in universities is crucial, says Cambridge lecturer Gemma Simmonds. But while Christians still have the right to preach the gospel, they’d do well to remember Jesus’ overriding law of love
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Opinion
Street preachers keep being arrested. More must be done to protect free speech
Christians are finding themselves in trouble with the law for using allegedly “threatening or abusive” language. Lois McLatchie believes the police are too quick to penalise the speech complained of, rather than consider what rights the accused has to speak freely in public
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Opinion
Christians like me are being silenced in our universities. Freedom of speech must be restored
Universities should be environments of open debate. Instead, Christian academics fear their careers will be adversely affected if they speak about their faith, reports Fiona Bruce MP