The well-regarded Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life has updated its report on restrictions on religion around the world.  Pew counts not only laws and official policies that limit the exercise of religion, but also “social hostilities,” defined as private acts like mob violence and other sorts of intimidation.  Pew reports that restrictions on religion increased substantially for one-third of the world’s population in the three years between 2006 and 2009.  The Middle East/North Africa had the largest proportion of countries with a rise in government restrictions; Europe had the largest proportion of countries with a rise in social hostilities.  The full report is here.  — MLM