July 28, 2022

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 top content on international religious freedom this month.

Read Our New Book!

FRC's Center for Religious Liberty is delighted to announce the release of a new book entitled Heroic Faith: Hope Amid Global Persecution.

Heroic Faith presents real-life stories of the challenges and dangers faced by today's faithful, courageous Christians in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It is our prayer that this book will not only serve as a reminder of the persecuted but also provide an encouraging picture of Christians' persistent faith. Heroic Faith can be ordered where books are sold. Buy your copy of Heroic Faith today!

Rising Intolerance Against Christians in the West

People rarely think of serious religious freedom violations as taking place in the West. However, intolerance against Christians is on the rise in Western democracies. FRC's Center for Religious Liberty recently released a detailed report highlighting instances of intolerance against Christians in 14 Western countries. Arielle Del Turco and Andrew Davenport discussed this report and the profound importance of protecting the West's religious freedom in The Washington Stand.

The Link Between Religious Freedom and International Development

Despite pouring a staggering amount of resources into foreign countries, the United States has made little progress towards a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. Why is this the case? Hannah Waters discusses why U.S. efforts have been ineffective and highlights the missing component--international religious freedom--in The Washington Stand.

FRC and Regent University's Robertson School of Government released a comprehensive study on this very issue, examining how the U.S. government can better promote religious freedom through its foreign assistance. Read the full study and its corresponding issue brief HERE.

Highlighting Persecution of Christians at International Religious Freedom Summit 2022

FRC co-sponsored the 2022 International Religious Freedom Summit that took place June 28-30 in Washington, D.C. At the Summit, FRC hosted an event during which Tony Perkins presented FRC's new report on intolerance against Christians in the West. The event also featured three speakers who have experienced intolerance and opposition for their faith: Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen, Canadian pastor James Coates, and American pastor Mike McClure. Learn more about their experiences in The Washington Stand.

FRC also hosted a breakout session that previewed FRC's new book on Christian persecution, Heroic Faith, and highlighted the personal accounts of three survivors of persecution.

Christian Persecution Continues Across the Globe

Sadly, persecution against Christians rages around the globe. The number of persecuted Christians reaches into the hundreds of millions, and many of them face poverty, displacement, and homelessness. In her recent piece in The Washington Stand, Lela Gilbert discusses the extent of this tragedy and suggests ways that Christians who enjoy religious freedom can pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

While Christian persecution is heartbreaking wherever it occurs, violence against believers in Nigeria continues to horrify religious freedom advocates with its frequency and intensity. According to Open Doors, a Christian is killed in Nigeria for their faith every two hours. Despite this, the White House does not consider Nigeria a "country of particular concern." In her recent article at Religion Unplugged, Lela Gilbert shines a light on the atrocities committed in Nigeria and the White House's silence on the violence.

As we are reminded of the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ, it should encourage us to continue praying for their safety, perseverance, and strength and boldly advocating for religious freedom around the globe.

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