Faith leaders are addressing the recent Pew Research study that shows record-high levels of restrictions on religious freedom.
According to CBN News, Religious Freedom Ambassador Sam Brownback says that in order for other human rights to flourish, the right of religious freedom must also be protected.
"We look at this religious freedom foundational right that if you can get it right as a nation other human rights will flourish. If you get it wrong other human rights will diminish," Brownback asserted.
Last month, Pew Research revealed that in 2018, government restrictions on religion hit an all-time high since 2007. The study also showed that high or very high government restrictions peaked in 56 countries, with the highest restrictions being in Africa and the Middle East.
We've never been more institutionalized, but we've never seen more persecution. The new Pew reports are out and there has never been more persecution, so we are getting our act together on how this gets institutionalized but obviously, we have to go to another level here as a civil society, as a government,” Chris Seiple of Templeton Religion Trust said.
In 2018, the White House intervened to free pastor Andrew Brunson, a missionary who was arrested in Turkey after he was falsely arrested for partaking in an alleged coup with Kurdish terrorists against Turkish president Erdogan.
Last week, Christian Headlines reported that Brunson predicted increasing persecution against U.S Christians in the future.
Brunson, who shared his remarks at the "Global Prayer for US Election Integrity" event on Facebook earlier this month, explained how Christians across the nation are unprepared for the forthcoming hostility that will be made against them.
“I believe the pressures that we're seeing in our country now are going to increase, and one of these pressures is going to be hostility toward people who embrace Jesus Christ and his teaching, who are not ashamed to stand for him," he warned. "My concern is that we're not ready for this pressure. And not being prepared is very, very dangerous on a number of levels."
In June, President Trump signed an executive order that makes international religious freedom a priority in U.S foreign policy. Faith leaders hope that the same the Biden administration will also make religious freedom a priority.
Related:
'We’re Not Ready' - Pastor Urges US Christians to Prepare for Persecution
President Trump’s Executive Order Allocates $50M for Global Religious Freedom
Photo courtesy: Unsplash
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
