Religious Freedom Forum

Religious Freedom Forum

The Religious Freedom forum is drawing attention to persecution, false imprisonment and re-education camps around the world- Washington Times

Religious liberty advocates from around the world converged on Washington on Tuesday to shine a light on the plight of faith groups that are persecuted by their governments. The opening day of the State Department's three-day Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom was marked by testimonials from victims of religious persecution, who shared stories of false imprisonment, re-education camps, the confiscation of religious texts and the demolition of houses of worship.

The ministerial, which runs through Thursday, was launched with the goal of highlighting "concrete outcomes that reaffirm international commitments to promote religious freedom and produce real, positive change." Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to address the summit on Thursday.

Thomas Farr, president of the Religious Freedom Institute and an adviser to the State Department on the summit, said the ministerial signals America's willingness to lead on the issue of religious freedom. "This gathering represents a historic opportunity for the United States," Mr. Farr said in a statement. "The time is now for our nation to lead a global effort in advancing this fundamental right, without which no human being, and no society, can flourish."

- Father, as the press is compelled to cover this event, we pray each individual will be moved by the realities of religious persecution around the world and cover this topic more vigorously in the future.

- And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)