POV and off-ride of new Freedom Flyer suspended family coaster at Fun Spot America – Video

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POV and off-ride of new Freedom Flyer suspended family coaster at Fun Spot America
Made by Chance Rides, this 1200+ ft. long Vekoma suspended family coaster is part of Fun Spot America #39;s new expansion, officially opening June 8, 2013. Spec...

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POV and off-ride of new Freedom Flyer suspended family coaster at Fun Spot America - Video

US Sees 'Climate of Intolerance' on Global Religious Freedom

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Source: VOA

The United States said the right to global religious freedom was challenged last year, with governments often creating a "climate of intolerance" leading to hatred and violence.

In an annual report, the State Department said Monday government officials worldwide are often allowed to act with impunity while violating the religious rights of their countrymen. It said there often is uneven enforcement of religious freedom laws and introduction of new restrictions.

International Religious Freedom Report for 2012

Secretary of State John Kerry said religious freedom is "the birthright of every human being," but is often restricted.

The chief U.S. diplomat said religious freedom throughout the world is a national security concern for the U.S.

When countries undermine or attack religious freedom, they not only unjustly threaten those who they target, they also threaten their countries own stability.

And we see that in so many places," said Kerry. "Attacks on religious freedom are therefore both a moral and a strategic national security concern for the United States.

He said the State Department found a "troubling" increase in anti-Semitism and named a new aide to monitor the problem. The report cited abuses in several countries, particularly in Venezuela, Egypt and Iran.

Kerry said there is a growing number of blasphemy and apostasy laws that often violate religious freedoms and are applied in a discriminatory manner. The report singled out Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Iran and Eritrea for its pursuit of cases against individuals accusing them of blasphemy.

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US Sees 'Climate of Intolerance' on Global Religious Freedom

Kerry says religious freedom is the right of every human being

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WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the freedom to profess and practice one's faith is the birthright of every human being, not just an American invention.

In remarks coinciding with the release of the 2012 International Religious Freedom Report, Kerry said religious freedom is "ingrained in every human heart" and recognized under international law.

"Attacks on religious freedom are therefore both a moral and a strategic national security concern for the United States," he said.

The report on religious freedom in some 200 countries and territories was released by the State Department Monday. An executive summary highlighted governments that restrict their citizens' ability to practice religion.

Among those mentioned were China, North Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cuba, Sudan and Eritrea.

"The right to religious freedom is inherent in every human being. Unfortunately, this right was challenged in myriad ways in 2012," the report said.

The report noted anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions were on the rise, particularly in Europe and Asia.

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Kerry says religious freedom is the right of every human being

Kerry: Religious freedom is a "birthright"

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Unveiling an annual report on the global status of religious freedom, Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday reinforced America's commitment to promoting freedom of religion worldwide, and pledged to push restrictive countries - including U.S. allies -- toward expanded rights even if it makes them "uncomfortable."

In brief remarks at the State Department briefing room, Kerry touted the annual report as a "clear-eyed, objective look at the state of religious freedom around the world" and a catalogue of "discrimination and violence in countries ranging from established democracies to entrenched dictatorships."

He stressed the historic American struggle for religious freedom, and acknowledged "we have at times had to push and work and struggle to fully live up to the promise of our founding."

Among the countries detailed in the report as restrictive of religious liberty include Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, and several U.S. allies, like China and Russia. Kerry noted in his remarks that America's friends are not exempt from bad behavior in this department.

"It does directly call out some of our close friends" when necessary, Kerry said of the report, adding that it does so "in order to try and make progress even though we know it may cause some discomfort."

"The freedom to profess and practice one's faith to believe, or not to believe, or to change one's beliefs - that is a birthright of every human being," he said.

In remarks following Kerry's comments, ambassador-at-large Suzan Johnson Cook cited some progress in countries like Vietnam and Turkey in lightening some restrictions on religious freedom.

But, she said, the global struggle is far from over.

"The challenges are daunting but we remain committed to working tirelessly to ensuring religious freedom for all," Johnson Cook said.

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Kerry: Religious freedom is a "birthright"

Freedom of religion scarce in Iran, China

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Declaring that freedom of religion is a core American value, Secretary of State John F. Kerry Monday released his departments annual worldwide religious freedom report, which found worrying and negative trends around the globe.

The freedom to profess and practice ones faith, to believe or not to believe, or to change ones beliefs, that is a birthright of every human being, and thats what we believe, Mr. Kerry told reporters in Washington, in remarks accompanying the release of the International Religious Freedom Report for 2012.

While the report pointed to some examples of progress toward religious tolerance, its main focus was on persecution and abuses carried about by authorities in nearly every corner of the globe. Eight nations officially listed by the U.S. government as Countries of Particular Concern are highlighted for having played host to severe violations to religious freedom during 2012: Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan.

The same eight countries made the particular concern list in the State Departments 2011 report. U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook told reporters that the findings are built on a year-by-year evaluation of the different religious landscapes in individual nations as well as the evolving postures of different governments.

There are some governments that are not moving whatsoever, said Mrs. Johnson Cook, who joined Mr. Kerry in releasing the report at Foggy Bottom. The Saudi government, she said, does not allow non-Islamic persons to have freedom of religion.

According to the reports executive summary, authorities in Saudi Arabia even beheaded at least one individual for engaging in sorcery in 2012.

Despite considerable political reforms in Myanmar, meanwhile, the reports summary cited local government participation in ethnic and religious violence against the Southeast Asian nations Muslim community. The report was released the day President Obama hosted Myanmar President Thein Sein at the White House.

And in China, the governments respect for religious freedom declined during the year, according to the summary, which cited harassment and detention of individuals in the mainly Muslim Uighur Autonomous Region of northwest China and, as well in the Buddhist Tibetan area.

Negative trends were also cited in the Middle East, where in addition to Saudi Arabia some governments were showing little or no tolerance for non-Muslims.

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Freedom of religion scarce in Iran, China

"New Camos" Coming to Black Ops 2 – Comic Book, Cyborg, Dragon and Paladin (Personalization Packs) – Video

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"New Camos" Coming to Black Ops 2 - Comic Book, Cyborg, Dragon and Paladin (Personalization Packs)
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"New Camos" Coming to Black Ops 2 - Comic Book, Cyborg, Dragon and Paladin (Personalization Packs) - Video