Faith Archives

BLOG POST: Rich History of IRF Act Captured in a Single Volume

Understanding the history of the IRF Act: When people are free to seek truth for themselves directly, they become empowered to create societies that protect the conscience rights of all people.

Long-time religious freedom champion Katrina Lantos Swett offers remarks at the release of new IRFA historical retrospective

By Erin Rodewald // December 13, 2018

In the fall of 1998, members of Congress made a deliberate and unanimous choice to stand as beacons for the most fundamental of all human rights — freedom of religion or belief. Passage of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) came after months of debate and resulted in a law that has driven considerable human rights initiatives around the world for the past two decades while also codifying the first freedom as a top priority within U.S. foreign policy.

In this 20^th anniversary year, human rights organization 21Wilberforce embarked on a legacy project that would commemorate and capture the achievements of this landmark legislation. The result is The 20^th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act: A Retrospective, introduced this week at an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C.

For the first time, valuable IRFA source documents, personal recollections, and scholarly materials from the past 20 years have been collected and thoughtfully archived in a singular place with a succinct timeline. Included are candid conversations and observations culled from more than 55 interviews with prominent international religious freedom stakeholders, from elected officials and foreign policy experts to human rights advocates and academics. Continue reading “BLOG POST: Rich History of IRF Act Captured in a Single Volume”

A Faith Strengthened in the Face of Persecution

“They planned to break us, but God used that time to bless us instead.” A young couple’s story of faith in the face of persecution.

person holding bible with cross — Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

By Erin Rodewald // December 9, 2018

(This article was originally written for 21Wilberforce)

In the early morning hours of Christmas 2010, Iranian government forces arrested scores of Christian home-church leaders in surprise raids around the country. Among those arrested was a newly married couple, Yousef and Rozhin.*

Incarcerated in separate locations, Yousef and Rozhin were repeatedly told by their captors that the other had denounced their faith. In fact, both remained steadfast in their beliefs despite the harsh conditions. On day 23, Rozhin was taken once again to an interrogation room for questioning. This time, when officials removed her blindfold, she saw Yousef seated across from her. In the short time allowed together, the couple cried tears of joy and shared how God had been caring for them while in prison.

“They planned to break us,” says Rozhin of the guards’ strategy for arranging the brief meeting with Yousef. “But God used that time to bless us instead. Because of those few minutes together, we continued stronger than before.” Continue reading “A Faith Strengthened in the Face of Persecution”

ARTICLE: The long wait continues for Asia Bibi

A Christian mother of five may be the first person executed under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

By Erin Rodewald // October 9, 2018

(This article originally written and posted to 21Wilberforce)

On Monday, a special three-member panel of Pakistan’s Supreme Court heard the final appeal for justice by Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy. Following three hours of testimony by Asia’s defense attorney, the panel delayed its verdict indefinitely, again sending Asia back to prison while ordering the media and those present to refrain from discussing the case.

The mother of five already has spent more than eight years in prison, accused of making derogatory remarks against Islam during a 2009 argument with her Muslim co-workers. The argument began when Asia drank water from a communal cup while working in a field alongside the other women — an act that her co-workers charged made the water unclean for them because Asia is a Christian. Continue reading “ARTICLE: The long wait continues for Asia Bibi”

ARTICLE: Coptic Christians shut out of worship

A law in Egypt intended to open doors has served to close them instead as dozens of Coptic Christian churches have been shut down.

minya christians — Egypt’s Coptic Christians are finding it harder to worship despite constitutional guarantees [Photo Credit: Reuters/Middle East Eye]

By Erin Rodewald // September 11, 2018

(This article originally written for and posted to 21Wilberforce)

In Egypt, a law designed to open doors has served to close them instead. Dozens of Coptic Christian churches have been shut down since Law 80/2016, also known as the Church Construction Law, took effect two years ago. The reform measure, required as part of the constitution adopted following the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi in 2014, was intended to secure the right of worship by Copts and other religious minorities. Instead, it has become a driver of sectarian violence.

In late August, while congregants worshiped inside the Virgin Mary and St. Mohrael Coptic Orthodox church in Upper Egypt, an angry Muslim mob gathered outside to protest against the legalization of the church. According to an eyewitness, the crowd tried to break down the front door. The police arrived and dispersed the demonstrators then closed the church building, sealed it, and security forces cordoned off the village streets.

This was the eighth such incident in this particular diocese alone. Churches in other regions throughout Egypt have experienced similar attacks as well, several in the past few weeks. All had filed applications under Law 80/2016 to obtain the necessary permits for registration, renovation, or construction. And that’s when the trouble began.

The tensions associated with the current law are underscored in a report issued by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR): “Typically, Copts in villages submit applications for the construction of a church to official bodies after meeting all the required conditions, but the applications are frozen due to objections from the security apparatus or as a result of incitement from local residents opposed to the construction of a church.” Continue reading “ARTICLE: Coptic Christians shut out of worship”

ARTICLE: Iran’s Christians caught in the crosshairs

: Four pastors are among several Christians recently imprisoned in Iran for promoting their faith [Photo Credit: World Watch Monitor/Article 18]

By Erin Rodewald // August 21, 2018

(This article was originally written for and posted to 21Wilberforce)

As the 40^th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran approaches, there is growing speculation that the aging theocratic regime is on the brink. Since December, tens of thousands of ordinary Iranians have taken to the streets in protest of their government’s hardline policies and failing economic decisions. While the Iran nuclear accord of 2015 infused billions of dollars into Iran’s economy, Tehran’s power elite used that capital to fund foreign adventurism and regional terror rather than help its own citizens.

In May, the U.S. withdrew from the Iran Deal, and last week it reinstated strict sanctions, contributing to the free fall of Iran’s already unstable currency. Even tougher sanctions are on the way in November. Meanwhile, demonstrations across all sectors of Iranian society have grown larger and more insistent, including chants of “death to the dictator.”

“History is in the making in Iran,” writes Dr. Hormoz Shariat, founder of Iran Alive Ministries, a U.S.-based broadcasting network that delivers Christian programming to Iranians via satellite. “We are seeing the end of this regime. I believe we will see a major change in Iran soon and it will be in weeks, months, but not years.” Continue reading “ARTICLE: Iran’s Christians caught in the crosshairs”

ARTICLE: How many declarations does it take to secure religious freedom?

U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback speaking on the foundational right of religious freedom

By Erin Rodewald // August 6, 2018

Each generation must hold dear the importance of #ReligiousFreedom and reaffirm the need to protect and nurture it, lest tyrants trample it. My views on the Potomac Declaration, which was released last month at the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, appear today in Providence: A Journal of Christianity & American Foreign Policy. I invite you to read the article here and share it with friends.

ARTICLE: Survivors of persecution breathe new life into religious freedom movement

Murad_Pence — Genocide survivor Nadia Murad welcomed by Vice President Pence [Photo credit @NadiaMuradBasee]

By Erin Rodewald // July 31, 2018

(This article was originally written for and posted to 21Wilberforce)

Nadia Murad had dreams of being a teacher, not a sabia — not a slave. In one horrific August afternoon in 2014, ISIS terrorists invaded her village in Northern Iraq and shattered those dreams. The militants slaughtered hundreds of Nadia’s neighbors in a single hour, including six of her brothers and stepbrothers. She and the other young women who remained were rounded up and sold as slaves to ISIS fighters. Nadia endured months of brutality before escaping her captors.

Nadia is a victim of the devastating Yezidi genocide. She is also a survivor. Last week Vice President Mike Pence recognized her and several other survivors of religious persecution at the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C.

“We are honored by your presence. We are inspired by your courage,” said Pence, speaking directly to Nadia. “The people of the United States are inspired by your testimony and your strength and your faith. And it steels our resolve to stand for your religious liberty in the years ahead.” Continue reading “ARTICLE: Survivors of persecution breathe new life into religious freedom movement”

BLOG POST: U.S. Leadership Puts First Freedom in First Position

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley delivers remarks to close out the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom [Photo Credit: US Holocaust Museum]

By Erin Rodewald // July 27, 2018

Twenty years ago, the U.S. Congress codified religious freedom as a priority for U.S. foreign policy by passing the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). This week, leadership at the highest levels of U.S. government re-affirmed a commitment to that first freedom, hosting the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

“The United States of America stands for religious freedom yesterday, today, and always,” said Vice President Mike Pence at the closing session of the Ministerial. “We do this because it is right. But we also do this because religious freedom is in the interest of the peace and security of the world.”

To that end, the Ministerial has issued the Potomac Declaration, an official statement that underscores U.S. commitment to the advancement of religious liberty and the protection of those persecuted for their beliefs. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the Declaration at the conclusion of the Ministerial, saying it “is a formal affirmation that says right up front that the U.S. takes religious freedom seriously, that we will work with others around the world to help those under attack for their beliefs, and that we expect leaders around the world to make it their priority as well.”

Among the principles elevated by the Declaration: Continue reading “BLOG POST: U.S. Leadership Puts First Freedom in First Position”

BLOG POST: The persecuted cannot wait

By Erin Rodewald || July 24, 2018

Day One — Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

It is a humbling moment to stand in a conference hall at the U.S. Department of State, surrounded by representatives of more than 80 nations. The Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom began today, and as reported by Politico, was the hottest ticket in Washington. Hundreds of human rights activists, foreign government officials, religious leaders, and journalists gathered to focus on how best to equip and empower civil society organizations to better address global religious freedom issues.

“This is a noble cause, but also a practical one,” said U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, in remarks to kick-off the three-day summit. “Where religious freedom is promoted, economic opportunity grows, security increases, and people flourish.”

The day’s events included a panel on how private philanthropic resources can be mobilized to address religious freedom challenges worldwide. Another session provided practical tips for harnessing grant opportunities via the State Department. Hollywood mega-producer Mark Burnett sat down with veteran broadcaster Greta Van Susteren and U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commissioner Johnnie Moore to talk about how to reach the masses with persuasive messages that both inform and inspire action in support of persecuted communities.

Peppered among the panelists and formalities, however, were the truly compelling stories from survivors of persecution and their families. Continue reading “BLOG POST: The persecuted cannot wait”

BLOG POST: A clarion call for international religious freedom

Capitol By Erin Rodewald || July 21, 2018

Fundamental to the American character is an embrace of religious freedom. It is our first freedom, enshrined in our founding documents:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. —Declaration of Independence

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. —U.S. Constitution, First Amendment

Religious freedom has not been gifted to Americans alone, of course. It is a universal value — worth protecting, but often abused. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, restrictions on religion around the world are on the rise, with one-third of the population surveyed living in places with high or very high levels of persecution.

A quick glance at the headlines affirms the statistics: Rohingya Muslims massacred and driven from their homeland; Yezidi women brutalized and enslaved by ISIS; thousands of Christians slaughtered in Nigeria; faithful Baha’i members routinely persecuted in Iran and Yemen; anti-Semitism on the rise in Europe.

Time to sound a clarion call for religious freedom around the world.

In the coming week, the U.S. Department of State will host the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C. The three-day summit (July 24-26) will bring together ministerial-level officials from more than 40 nations, as well as religious leaders, NGO representatives, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates. The goal: reaffirm international commitments to promote religious freedom and identify concrete initiatives to raise religious freedom as a global priority.

“Every human by nature of their dignity as a human being deserves the capacity to worship in the way that they want to worship, or if they choose not to worship at all, so be it,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a recent interview with VOA News. “No one should be punished by their government for their religious beliefs or their religious activities connected to those beliefs.”

The Ministerial represents the largest and highest-level gathering ever on the issue of international religious freedom and comes on the 20^th anniversary of the passage of the landmark International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. IRFA established the framework that elevated religious freedom as a priority within U.S. foreign policy.

In addition to formal plenary sessions and testimony from survivors of religious persecution, a number of side events are planned around the city. Topics for side events (many of which are open to the public) include lectures on the status of religious freedom in places like China, Nigeria, Syria, and Russia; screening of the film, Letter from Masanji; a multi-faith prayer service; an exhibit called The People of the Cross that highlights the persecution millions of people experience as daily followers of Jesus Christ; and a discussion about technology and religious freedom.

A full list of Ministerial events can be viewed at www.irfroundtable.org. Follow me at @EDRodewald for live coverage of Ministerial events throughout the week.