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FOR SA (Freedom of Religion South Africa) is a legal advocacy organisation working to protect and promote the constitutional right to religious freedom in South Africa. We do this by engaging with government on policies, and making submissions to Parliament on draft legislation, that may negatively impact on religious freedom. We also appear – as a “friend of the court” or principal party – before government commissions and the Courts (including the Constitutional Court) in cases affecting religious freedom. Read more…

Latest Posts

America’s highest court deals another blow to “double standard” COVID-19 restrictions

by | Feb 23, 2021 |

In a decision handed down on 5 February 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) stopped yet another state (California) from enforcing its double standard COVID-19 restrictions. This is the second time the country’s highest court heard a matter involving South Bay United Pentecostal Church, having decided in 29 May 2020 not to grant the church’s initial application.

FAQs on Adjusted Level 3 Regulations – Places of Worship

by | Feb 11, 2021 |

On 29 December 2020 South Africa moved to ‘Adjusted Level 3′ in light of a second wave of COVID-19 infections, prohibiting all faith-based gatherings country-wide for a period of 14 days. On 11 January 2021, further Regulations were promulgated, keeping the prohibition on faith-based gatherings in place. On 1 February 2021, the current (amended) Adjusted Level 3 Regulations were promulgated, once again permitting gatherings at faith-based institutions country-wide subject to certain numerical and other conditions.

FAQs on Adjusted Level 3 Regulations – Places of Work

by | Feb 11, 2021 |

On 29 December 2020 South Africa moved to ‘Adjusted Level 3′ in light of a second wave of COVID-19 infections. On 11 January 2021, further Regulations were promulgated. On 1 February 2021, the current (amended) Adjusted Level 3 Regulations were promulgated. A summary of the current Regulations is available here.

Spotlight

Letter to President regarding vaccines

by | Feb 10, 2021 | ,

10 February 2021 Dear President Ramaphosa, RE:     Religious / CONSCIENTIOUS concern regarding the use of (historical) abortion-derived fetal cell lines in the development or production of certain COVID-19 vaccines As you are aware, Freedom of Religion...

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FOR SA (Freedom of Religion South Africa)

FOR SA (Freedom of Religion South Africa)
FOR SA’s Legal Counsel, Adv Nadene Badenhorst, talks about CSE and how schools have the freedom to choose which books they wish to use to teach the CAPS curriculum’s subjects from. She mentions specifically, how schools can choose from a variety of alternative source materials (assessed here for CAPS compliance) for the Life Orientation and Life Skills, and how they are not bound to use the Department of Basic Education’s controversial Scripted Lesson Plans. She stresses the importance of parents and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) meeting with the school to ask that the school uses such alternative books (source materials). ABOUT FOR SA "The constitutional right to practice one's religion is of fundamental importance in an open and democratic society. It is one of the hallmarks of a free society." -- The Honourable Justice Sachs in Christian Education SA v Minister of Education v Minister of Education (2000) (Constitutional Court) FOR SA (Freedom of Religion South Africa) is a non-profit Christian organisation working to protect and promote religious freedom in South Africa. This it does by creating awareness and influencing government and society regarding issues that affect our religious freedom. Increasingly, laws are proposed that make the State rather than the Bible the highest authority on what Christians should believe, and how they should act according to those beliefs. Many of these laws subscribe to a secular liberalist world-view and as such, are in direct conflict with Christian and family values. The Real Threat The real threat lies in that these laws open the door to persecution of Christians in South Africa. Religious persecution is often thought of as extreme physical acts of violence directed at adherents of a particular faith. As a result of this limited understanding of religious persecution, it is often not recognised until it is too late. A common but more subtle form of persecution is the outlawing of Christian teachings and practices that are seen to contradict the secular liberalist world-view. As a result of the criminalisation of such teachings and practices, Christian pastors and members of the faith are forced to choose between obeying the law and obeying their faith, with potentially harsh consequences should they choose to disobey the law. This is a situation that should be avoided in an open and democratic society built on human dignity, equality and freedom. Against this background, FOR SA serves as a voice for Christians in South Africa to government and society on issues affecting the autonomy of the church and our constitutional freedom as Christians to: believe what we believe according to our interpretation of the Bible; declare our religious beliefs openly and without fear of interference or punishment by the State; and manifest our religious beliefs by worship and by practice or by teaching and dissemination. Calling Christians to Stand Together According to Isaiah 59:19 (NIV), "[w]hen the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." FOR SA believe that the Lord is calling all Christians, irrespective of doctrinal differences, to stand together against the ungodly laws threatening to flood our nation and to stop government from systematically removing our freedom to believe, teach and live out the Word of God in its entirety and according to our interpretation of the Bible. There are without a doubt many battles ahead for the Church in South Africa. It is not an option for the Church to stand on the sidelines and to watch secular forces who drive an anti-religion agenda, determine what she may believe and how she should act according to those beliefs. If we as Christians do not speak up, we may soon find ourselves in a country that embraces freedom from religion, rather than freedom of religion. FOR SA believes that together and with God for us, Christians in South Africa can make a difference to the glory of God and the good of our nation. VISION AND MISSION FOR SA's vision is to be a voice for the Christian Church in South Africa to government and to society, on issues affecting our freedom of religion, freedom of religious expression, freedom of association and the rights of religious communities in South Africa. All of these are fundamental rights entrenched in our Constitution. As such, the State as well as the citizens of South Africa have an obligation to respect, protect and promote these rights. FOR SA's mission is to: Discern the issues that affect the religious freedom of Christians in South Africa; Create public awareness and rally the support of the Church and Christians in South Africa; Address the relevant issues as a united Christian voice, doing so in the proper forum, in government or in society. FOR SA is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organisation, whose ethos is Bible-based.
FOR SA talks what parents can do NOW about CSE.
YouTube Video VVU4TWNfUFBOd3djQjFTUkJLVVpvcUh3LnNTVEdPMWlRVHNN
An introduction by the FOR SA team to the last Newsletter for 2020. FOR SA "A voice for the Christian Church in South Africa" Serving as a voice to government and society for Christians in South Africa on issues affecting religious freedom. ABOUT FOR SA "The constitutional right to practice one's religion is of fundamental importance in an open and democratic society. It is one of the hallmarks of a free society." -- The Honourable Justice Sachs in Christian Education SA v Minister of Education v Minister of Education (2000) (Constitutional Court) FOR SA (Freedom of Religion South Africa) is a non-profit Christian organisation working to protect and promote religious freedom in South Africa. This it does by creating awareness and influencing government and society regarding issues that affect our religious freedom. Increasingly, laws are proposed that make the State rather than the Bible the highest authority on what Christians should believe, and how they should act according to those beliefs. Many of these laws subscribe to a secular liberalist world-view and as such, are in direct conflict with Christian and family values. This is a serious threat to the constitutional rights of religious freedom, freedom of religious expression, freedom of association and the rights of religious communities. Our Constitutional Court has recognised that together these rights give churches a degree of autonomy to govern their own affairs. The Real Threat The real threat lies in that these laws open the door to persecution of Christians in South Africa. Religious persecution is often thought of as extreme physical acts of violence directed at adherents of a particular faith. As a result of this limited understanding of religious persecution, it is often not recognised until it is too late. A common but more subtle form of persecution is the outlawing of Christian teachings and practices that are seen to contradict the secular liberalist world-view. As a result of the criminalisation of such teachings and practices, Christian pastors and members of the faith are forced to choose between obeying the law and obeying their faith, with potentially harsh consequences should they choose to disobey the law. This is a situation that should be avoided in an open and democratic society built on human dignity, equality and freedom. Against this background, FOR SA serves as a voice for Christians in South Africa to government and society on issues affecting the autonomy of the church and our constitutional freedom as Christians to: believe what we believe according to our interpretation of the Bible; declare our religious beliefs openly and without fear of interference or punishment by the State; and manifest our religious beliefs by worship and by practice or by teaching and dissemination. Calling Christians to Stand Together According to Isaiah 59:19 (NIV), "[w]hen the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." FOR SA believe that the Lord is calling all Christians, irrespective of doctrinal differences, to stand together against the ungodly laws threatening to flood our nation and to stop government from systematically removing our freedom to believe, teach and live out the Word of God in its entirety and according to our interpretation of the Bible. There are without a doubt many battles ahead for the Church in South Africa. It is not an option for the Church to stand on the sidelines and to watch secular forces who drive an anti-religion agenda, determine what she may believe and how she should act according to those beliefs. If we as Christians do not speak up, we may soon find ourselves in a country that embraces freedom from religion, rather than freedom of religion. FOR SA believes that together and with God for us, Christians in South Africa can make a difference to the glory of God and the good of our nation. VISION AND MISSION FOR SA's vision is to be a voice for the Christian Church in South Africa to government and to society, on issues affecting our freedom of religion, freedom of religious expression, freedom of association and the rights of religious communities in South Africa. All of these are fundamental rights entrenched in our Constitution. As such, the State as well as the citizens of South Africa have an obligation to respect, protect and promote these rights. FOR SA's mission is to: Discern the issues that affect the religious freedom of Christians in South Africa; Create public awareness and rally the support of the Church and Christians in South Africa; Address the relevant issues as a united Christian voice, doing so in the proper forum, in government or in society. FOR SA is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organisation, whose ethos is Bible-based.
FOR SA Newsletter – December 2020
YouTube Video VVU4TWNfUFBOd3djQjFTUkJLVVpvcUh3LkpFTklzd0VWWUww
FOR SA A video introduction to FOR SA’s Newsletter for September 2020 by FOR SA’s Executive Director, Michael Swain. ABOUT FOR SA "The constitutional right to practice one's religion is of fundamental importance in an open and democratic society. It is one of the hallmarks of a free society." -- The Honourable Justice Sachs in Christian Education SA v Minister of Education v Minister of Education (2000) (Constitutional Court) FOR SA (Freedom of Religion South Africa) is a non-profit Christian organisation working to protect and promote religious freedom in South Africa. This it does by creating awareness and influencing government and society regarding issues that affect our religious freedom. Increasingly, laws are proposed that make the State rather than the Bible the highest authority on what Christians should believe, and how they should act according to those beliefs. Many of these laws subscribe to a secular liberalist world-view and as such, are in direct conflict with Christian and family values. This is a serious threat to the constitutional rights of religious freedom, freedom of religious expression, freedom of association and the rights of religious communities. Our Constitutional Court has recognised that together these rights give churches a degree of autonomy to govern their own affairs. The Real Threat The real threat lies in that these laws open the door to persecution of Christians in South Africa. Religious persecution is often thought of as extreme physical acts of violence directed at adherents of a particular faith. As a result of this limited understanding of religious persecution, it is often not recognised until it is too late. A common but more subtle form of persecution is the outlawing of Christian teachings and practices that are seen to contradict the secular liberalist world-view. As a result of the criminalisation of such teachings and practices, Christian pastors and members of the faith are forced to choose between obeying the law and obeying their faith, with potentially harsh consequences should they choose to disobey the law. This is a situation that should be avoided in an open and democratic society built on human dignity, equality and freedom. Against this background, FOR SA serves as a voice for Christians in South Africa to government and society on issues affecting the autonomy of the church and our constitutional freedom as Christians to: believe what we believe according to our interpretation of the Bible; declare our religious beliefs openly and without fear of interference or punishment by the State; and manifest our religious beliefs by worship and by practice or by teaching and dissemination. Calling Christians to Stand Together According to Isaiah 59:19 (NIV), "[w]hen the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." FOR SA believe that the Lord is calling all Christians, irrespective of doctrinal differences, to stand together against the ungodly laws threatening to flood our nation and to stop government from systematically removing our freedom to believe, teach and live out the Word of God in its entirety and according to our interpretation of the Bible. There are without a doubt many battles ahead for the Church in South Africa. It is not an option for the Church to stand on the sidelines and to watch secular forces who drive an anti-religion agenda, determine what she may believe and how she should act according to those beliefs. If we as Christians do not speak up, we may soon find ourselves in a country that embraces freedom from religion, rather than freedom of religion. FOR SA believes that together and with God for us, Christians in South Africa can make a difference to the glory of God and the good of our nation. VISION AND MISSION FOR SA's vision is to be a voice for the Christian Church in South Africa to government and to society, on issues affecting our freedom of religion, freedom of religious expression, freedom of association and the rights of religious communities in South Africa. All of these are fundamental rights entrenched in our Constitution. As such, the State as well as the citizens of South Africa have an obligation to respect, protect and promote these rights. FOR SA's mission is to: Discern the issues that affect the religious freedom of Christians in South Africa; Create public awareness and rally the support of the Church and Christians in South Africa; Address the relevant issues as a united Christian voice, doing so in the proper forum, in government or in society. FOR SA is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organisation, whose ethos is Bible-based.
FOR SA - September 2020 Newsletter Video Introduction
YouTube Video VVU4TWNfUFBOd3djQjFTUkJLVVpvcUh3LnpYdUc5TURiS3NB
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