Pope Francis Advocates Limits on Freedom of Speech and Expression

Weighing in on the debate over freedom of speech and expression, Pope Francis said anyone that insults religion could expect “a punch in the nose.”

Filipino City Requires Taxi Drivers to Display Bible Verses on Vehicles

Tagbilaran, a city in the Philippines, requires taxis to display verses from Scripture, because the administration thinks it will help curb crime.

Authorities Perform Exorcisms After Students Experience Mass Hysteria

Students at a public school in Cebu City in the Philippines were apparently possessed by evil spirits last week.

Catholic Group Urges Youth to Use Makeup to Look Like Saints

A Facebook page titled Kabataang Katoliko recently launched a social media campaign urging youngsters to turn themselves into their most beloved saints.

New Atheist Coalition Wants All to Know They are “Openly Secular”

A new coalition of non-religious groups is borrowing a page from the gay rights movement to let all people know that they are “openly secular.”

Controversy over Filipino DepEd Removing God from Vision text

The Department of Education changed its vision statement by eliminating a phrase that secular groups alleged were too sectarian for a government body.

Catholic Priest Official Calls for One Direction Ban in Philippines

After pop boy band One Direction posted a video of two of its members smoking pot and joking about drug use, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for the band to be banned in the Philippines.

Online Atheist Group (r/atheism) Raises $10K for Typhoon Victims

r/atheism is raising funds for Doctors Without Borders so they can provide relief to those who have been affected by typhoon Haiyan in Philippines.

Islamic Militants lay Siege to Philippine City and Take Civilian Hostages as “Human Shields”

On August 12th, MNLF founder Nur Misuari declared independence for the Muslim-majority southern region of the Catholic-majority country and called for the besieging of government installations. On September 10th, it was reported that Muslim militants were using 180 residents as “human shields” as they traded fire with the Army

Catholic Church Attacks Filipino Reproductive Rights, Risking Further Alienation

MANILA, Philippines -- Angered by a new law in the Philippines that would provide poor Filipinos easier birth control access, leaders of the Catholic Church threw their weight behind an effort to sway public sentiment just before the midterm elections on May 13 -- but they appear to have miscalculated their influence.