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February 4, 2022
Dear John,
Dear John,
Each month, FRC's Center for Religious Liberty covers international religious freedom news -- exploring challenges that believers face abroad.
Here is FRC's recent content on international religious freedom.
Finland Puts the Bible on Trial
Christians' ability to speak biblical truth is at risk in Finland due to an overly broad hate speech provision in Finnish law. In a stunning case, a Christian member of the Finnish parliament, Päivi Räsänen, has been charged by the Finnish prosecutor general with three counts of "ethnic agitation." Each count relates to Räsänen's respectful expression of her widely-held Christian beliefs. To learn more about this case, read Arielle Del Turco's article, Finland Puts the Bible on Trial.
FRC is asking people to sign a Pledge to Pray for Päivi Räsänen. It will be delivered to Räsänen in person before her final trial date of Monday, February 14, 2022. Please add your name to show your support!
China's Brutal Regime Hosts the Olympics
The eyes of the world are on China as the Winter Olympics take center stage in Beijing February 4-20, 2022. Olympic competitions are always wildly popular events worldwide, but this year's Olympic competitions are occurring under a horrifying shadow cast by the genocide of Uyghur Muslims that is currently taking place in China's Xinjiang state. The International Olympic Committee and other sports organizations, like the NBA, have remained mum about the brutalities and deaths suffered at the hand of the same Chinese government that hosts their highly profitable athletic events. Read about one NBA part-owners' perspective in Arielle Del Turco's article, Does Genocide Fall "Below the Line" of Things You Care About?
Africa's Ever-Increasing Struggle Against Radical Islamist Jihadis
Africa's Christians are facing far worse than dislike and discrimination. The escalating persecution of believers across the continent is terrifying and deadly, rapidly spreading from Nigeria across Africa into the east, where death and destruction now endanger Christian-majority countries like Kenya and Nigeria. Lela Gilbert covered this story in her recent Newsweek piece, African Christians Face Deadly Violence in 2022.
President Biden Marks His First Year in Office
President Biden's first year saw harmful developments for U.S. foreign policy and international religious freedom. The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, tensions with Russia over Ukraine, the angering of U.S. allies, and failures to promote religious freedom abroad will all have ramifications for years to come.
For more on the state of religious freedom in the world today, see FRC's resources:
It's easy to become desensitized to the harsh reality of religious persecution. But a clear-eyed look beyond our borders obligates us not only to pray but also to reflect, report, and encourage our government representatives to act on behalf of those who often risk their lives for their Christian faith. We hope you will join us.
In His Name,
Lela Gilbert
Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom
Arielle Del Turco
Assistant Director of the Center for Religious Liberty
"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them..."
Hebrews 13:3
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