Vietnam keeps tight rein on religious activities

Vietnamese worshippers are no closer to true religious freedom. The country just issued a national decree reiterating its prohibition of groups not recognized by the government.

The decree bans citizens from using religious freedom to undermine national independence and unification, incite violence or cause division among people. According to Associated Press reports, it also prohibits religious activities that threaten national security, social order or unity. Buddhism is the largest religion in Vietnam with an estimated 9.1 million followers, Catholicism is next with some 5.3 million followers. Other religions recognized by the government are Protestantism, Islam, Hoa Hao and Cao Dai.

The decree requires clergy to seek permission before holding religious ceremonies or preaching outside their home churches. Annual religious activities must be registered with officials and additional programs are subject to government permission.

Gay cruise meets protest in Bahamas

Passengers on a gay cruise were greeted by more than 100 protesters as they stepped off their chartered ship July 16 in Nassau, Bahamas. The protesters, led by Christian pastors, gathered in a square in front of the cruise terminal and chanted, “Gay Ways are Not God’s Ways!”

Cruise organizers said former talk show host Rosie O’Donnell, who promoted the voyage, was aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Dawn. But she wasn’t seen among those who disembarked. The U.S. Embassy issued a statement July 15 saying the mostly American passengers deserved the right to visit in peace.

Swedish pastor sentenced for offending homosexuals

A Swedish court has sentenced Ake Green, a pastor belonging to the Pentecostal movement in Sweden, to a month in prison, after he was found guilty of having offended homosexuals during a sermon he preached. Soren Andersson, the president of the Swedish federation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights (RFSL), said on hearing the sentence that religious freedom could never be used as a reason to offend people. “Therefore,” he told journalists, “I cannot regard the sentence as an act of interference with freedom of religion.” During a sermon in 2003, Green described homosexuality as “abnormal, a horrible cancerous tumor in the body of society.”

Lutheran minister suspended for denying existence of God

A minister who denied the existence of God may be denied his job or at least fined. The Danish government has upheld a decision by a state Lutheran church bishop to suspend the Rev. Thorkild Grosboell. He has been under strict supervision since a May 2003 interview in which he said “there is no heavenly God, there is no eternal life, there is no resurrection.” In Denmark, Lutheran ministers are employed by the government. Grosboell’s hearing will begin some time after Sept. 1. He will be able to appeal its verdict to a judicial court.                                           — E.P. News