Ministry Spokesman: More Must Be Done About Worldwide Religious Persecution
by Chad Groening
December 31, 2003
(AgapePress) - A recently released U.S. State Department report reveals that religious oppression is widespread across the globe, and a spokesman for a leading Christian ministry to the persecuted Church says more must be done to bring such treatment to an end.Among the revelations of the State Department study was the fact that a number of Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan, show little tolerance for religions that are not sanctioned by their governments. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage says the report serves as a voice for the voiceless.
"Even though religious freedom is a universal right recognized by international law and religious traditions the world over, millions of people in scores of countries do not enjoy this right, and this report tells their story," Armitage says.
But Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs says his organization has known about worldwide religious oppression for a long time. "This is not news to us," he notes. The interdenominational organization has been working with Christians in more than 40 countries around the world to help believers who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.
Although Nettleton welcomes the State Department's report, he says just telling people about oppression is not enough. "It's one thing to say, 'Hey, this is happening.' It's another thing to work constructively to make it stop happening," he says.
Still, VOM's spokesman says he appreciates that the government is taking a stand to point out religious oppression around the world and taking a stand on the issue. "Our government is making an attempt to hold some of these governments accountable for the way they treat Christians," Nettleton says, "and obviously that's a good thing. What needs to happen, though -- what we really want to see -- are more results."
Nettleton encourages Christians around the world to get involved by praying for the persecuted Church and financially supporting ministries that do outreach to believers suffering under oppressive regimes. He also notes that those individuals who want to get involved in direct advocacy can help by making phone calls or sending letters to foreign embassies on behalf of suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.
