U.S. proving it's serious about religious freedom abroad
By: Charlie Butts
It’s good to see us protecting religious freedom and liberty all around the world for all religions no matter where they might be a minority religion. Religious liberty is a human right.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Nations around the world that harm religious minorities are learning a lesson: You are being watched by the Trump administration.
One concern being addressed is the 70-plus countries in the world that have blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws that often result in the jailing of religious minorities, especially Christians.
Matias Perttula of International Christian Concern tells OneNewsNow it is significant that the U.S. State Dept. has sponsored a ministerial to advance religious freedom on two occasions, the largest human rights event hosted by the federal agency.
“And putting at the forefront of that,” Perttula points out, “the human right of religious freedom.”
In a recent example of U.S. involvement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used Twitter to state he was "alarmed" China had secretly tried and sentenced a Chinese pastor, Wang Yi, on "trumped-up charges."
The most famous blasphemy case in recent memory is Asia Bibi, who was sentenced to death in Pakistan but freed from death row. She is now lively safely in Canada.
Sen. James Lankford and Sen. Chris Coons have introduced a resolution calling on countries that have blasphemy laws to repeal them.
Perttula says those countries recognize “solidarity” within the federal government when the State Dept. and Congress are demonstrating that religious freedom matters.
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the U.S. State Dept. has sponsored a ministerial to advance religious freedom on two occasions, the largest human rights event hosted by the federal agency.
“And putting at the forefront of that,” Perttula points out, “the human right of religious freedom.”
In a recent example of U.S. involvement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used Twitter to state he was "alarmed" China had secretly tried and sentenced a Chinese pastor, Wang Yi, on "trumped-up charges."
The most famous blasphemy case in recent memory is Asia Bibi, who was sentenced to death in Pakistan but freed from death row. She is now lively safely in Canada.
Sen. James Lankford and Sen. Chris Coons have introduced a resolution calling on countries that have blasphemy laws to repeal them.
Brutal punishments for 'crimes' against religious beliefs should not be tolerated in civil society. It is a good thing, IMO, for civil society to protect people from religious abuse such as genital mutilation, honor killings, bigotry, etc.
Onward with secular morality based on common sense and wisdom derived from experience and history. Down with oppression based on ancient (man-made) religious views and the whims of powerful religious leaders.
One concern being addressed is the 70-plus countries in the world that have blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws that often result in the jailing of religious minorities, especially Christians.
And what about in the United States? The horrendous persecution Christians face here is probably worse than in any foreign countries!
For starters, the barbaric persecution Christians face in the U.S. ..for example "The War on Christmas".
Many Gof-fearing Christians can't even receive the traditional, holy "Merry Christmas" greeting any more-- they have to face the intense suffering caused by having some of these home-grown terrorists saying "Happy Holidays" to them instead!!!
(If that's not a "Crime Against Humanity"-- I don't know what is!)
It seems strange to me that the many Buddhists (including my wife's whole family) here are never interfered with, and outside of the Uyghur separatists the Muslims here are not being detained and attend their mosques (a huge one is not far from where I am) but then perhaps they don't proselytize as it is not part of what they consider their mandate and requirement.
Perhaps the many Muslim countries, especially in Africa, where Christians are required to renounce their faith and convert to Islam or else have their heads chopped off should be a more important focus.
Persecution of minority religions of all kinds there are, discrimination against and criminalization of believers and beliefs everywhere is the topic. China was only one small part of the article. Catholics have been opposed to proselytizing for a long time and yet China cracks the whip against them anyway.
Are there no churches in China? Are there no Cathedrals in China? Bah! Humbug!
Fewer every day it seems. The repression and crackdown are really severe.
Fewer every day? How do you know when you're not here? Many businesses here close, and others open - doesn't that happen where you are? I admit it's only news that I've read, but it seems that a lot of churches are closing or no longer being used in America as well.
How much will this cost the US taxpayers?
I’m not certain how much the budget is for this congressional mandated agency is.