Samuel Smith and World Watch Monitor
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2 Indian Pastors Falsely Accused of Converting Hindus and Smashing Their Idols Could Face Years in Prison
Two pastors from Kernal, India, will face blasphemy charges in court this November and could be sentenced to prison after they were accused nearly three years ago of destroying sacred Hindu objects, charges that the men have vehemently denied.

School Defends Teaching of 'Hallelujah Chorus' After Atheist Group Complains
A Tennessee school principal and superintendent have defended a teacher's right to teach her class a portion of George Frideric Handel's historic classical composition "Hallelujah Chorus" after a local branch of the nation's largest secular legal organization complained that it was a form of proselytizing.

China Arrests Pastor to Stop Him From Attending Christian Training Conference
Chinese authorities arrested a pastor to stop him from traveling to Hong Kong to attend a Christian training conference, the legal aid organization China Aid reports.

Muslim, Jewish, Christian Leaders to Sign Historic 'Bahrain Declaration' on Religious Freedom
An interfaith gathering of religious leaders will sign a historic declaration for human rights and religious freedom authored by the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at a signing ceremony in Los Angeles Wednesday evening.

Trump May Shrink Refugee Resettlement Cap to Under 50,000, Sources Say
The Trump administration is expected to reduce the number of refugees to be resettled into the United States during the next fiscal year to below 50,000, sources have indicated.

'Attacks on Religious Liberty' in US Increased 133 Percent in Last 5 Years: Report
A new report released by a prominent religious liberty advocacy organization claims that there has been a 133 percent increase in domestic "attacks on religious liberty" in the last five years and about a 15 percent increase in attacks on religious liberty in the last year.

Atheist Group: Trump's Tweet Supporting Church FEMA Funding Breached Presidential Etiquette
A secular organization that advocates for nontheists says that President Donald Trump has breached presidential etiquette by using his Twitter page to argue that Texas churches should be eligible for government reimbursement to repair damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Philippine President Rejects Jihadis' Rumored Offer to Release Abducted Priest, Other Hostages
Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has rejected a rumored offer from Islamic militants to release a Catholic priest and other captives in exchange for safe passage out of the conflict-ridden city of Marawi.

20 Christians, Including 9 Children, Massacred in Nigerian Village
At least 20 Christians, including nine children, were massacred and killed by Fulani herdsmen during an attack on a Nigerian village last week, human rights watchdog organizations are reporting.

Nigerian Priest Shot Outside Church by Gunmen Pretending to Be Worshipers
A Nigerian priest was shot outside of his church last week by gunmen pretending to be worshipers, Nigerian news outlets are reporting.



















