Senate Urged To Make Religious Freedoms ‘Fundamental Right’

Hundreds of people and groups who support religious freedoms are calling upon Congress to pass a resolution to recognize how dangerous the global threats to religious practices are at this moment in our history.

The bipartisan Senate Resolution 569 was introduced by Democratic Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, who wants to mix religious freedom into U.S. foreign policy so as to finally address the global violations taking place. A letter signed by more than 100 organizations and “individuals who are scholars, religious and secular leaders, human rights advocates, and practitioners to express our support for S. Res. 569, recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.” (LEARN MORE: Pastor Greg Laurie Speaks of Biblical Prophecy Fulfillment Over Israel-Hamas War)

The Letter

“We have seen firsthand the increasing threats to religious freedom around the world described in the resolution. From ongoing genocides and mass atrocities perpetrated against religious minority groups to individuals imprisoned and exiled for their faith and beliefs, from unjust restrictions on religious gatherings and practices to the destruction of religious sites, these threats against both people of faith and no faith are not only grave violations of fundamental human rights, but also lead to instability, insecurity, and a lack of economic development,” the letter reads. (LEARN MORE: Major News Organization Rejects All Harvard, MIT, Penn Grads Over School’s Antisemitism)

“We have also seen firsthand the importance of the U.S.’s voice in promoting religious freedom worldwide. Since the passage of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act in 1998 and the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016, through the development of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom and the establishment of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, the U.S. has for decades led on the creation of a global movement for religious freedom. Congress has provided strong bipartisan support for the promotion of international religious freedom and has passed important mechanisms for holding violators of religious freedom accountable, as with the IRF Act and the permanent reauthorization of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.”

Examples From Nigeria

Violent attacks against Christians in Nigeria are on the rise, according to the Washington Stand. On Christmas Eve 2023, a group of gunmen killed an estimated 160 people and wounded countless others. As of 2023, 5,621 Christians were killed globally, 90% being in Nigeria.

But since 2009, an estimated 52,250 Nigerian Christians have been slaughtered in their home state. As a result of these attacks, the Trump Administration placed Nigeria on the “Countries of Particular Concern” list in 2020. President Joe Biden then removed Nigeria from the list, giving absolutely no reason as to why.

Since this time, more than 3,000 Christians are also believed to have been abducted, along with more than 5,621 killed.

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