"POMPEO ROLLS OUT THE WELCOME MAT FOR WORLD LEADERS" - Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, July 23, 2018; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20180723/welcome-mat [AS I SEE IT: Call me cynical but I just believe I'm realistic when I say that I don't expect the mainstream media to make much if any mention of this significant conference. Sadly, they would rather focus their attention on something else they can spin to reflect negatively on the Trump administration. Shame on them! for not taking time to see the implications of such events as this on improving the state of our world, and not just on the issue of religious liberty. - Stan]
"The very fact that the Ministerial is being held sends a signal that the United States is taking religious freedom seriously," he writes. "Let us not underestimate the power of this message." The rest of the world certainly doesn't. As State Department gears up to host government officials, representatives of international organizations, religious leaders, rights advocates, and members of civil society organizations from around the world, the significance of the moment isn't lost on anyone. After all, Ambassador Sam Brownback points out, "This has not happened ever in the world."
Three months into his new job as secretary, Mike Pompeo has put his stamp on plenty of foreign policy. But this decision to bring the world together on one of the greatest human rights crises of our time might be a turning point for millions of people. "The human dignity, the human right attached to religious freedom I feel personally, and I know President Trump does as well," Pompeo has said in the lead-up to this week's summit. Of course, just because leaders sit down and talk about it doesn't mean the problem of religious persecution will just magically disappear. But it could go a long way to starting a dialogue in some countries that, until now, have been very unwilling to discuss the topic.
"Not every country will achieve the level of religious freedom that we have here in the United States," Pompeo explained. "But we think we can advance it all across the world by bringing together folks from all faiths, and frankly, those who have no faith, but their capacity to practice religion in the way they choose is important for the world." Although the complete list of participating nations hasn't been released to the public, Brownback says he was pleasantly surprised by some of the names on the list -- including some countries who don't exactly have a stellar record on the topic. This event, he points out, gives the U.S. a chance to do more to engage them.
"We've had a process of more of a name-and-shame process where we would identify bad actors and we would shame them and that's about [all] that would end up happening. What we're trying to do – we are still going to name bad actors -- but we want them to come and say, 'Let's work together to get off of this [watch] list. We'll put in effort and you put in effort toward this." Considering that religious freedom cuts against instability and decreases the likelihood of terrorism, everyone in the world has a stake in the ministerial succeeding.
"For years," Sam said, "the foreign policy establishment has really not wanted to engage on the issue of religion... not being sure how to handle it or what to do. But now, you are seeing more people saying that it is a key component for what is taking place in the world today, and we've just got to deal with this." Behind closed doors, the Trump administration is already prioritizing the issue more than anyone knows. As Pompeo told CBN, "I want your viewers to know that the United States rarely has an encounter with a country where we don't raise human rights concerns where they exist."
After the eight years of the Obama administration, we're more appreciative than ever for President Trump's emphasis on religious liberty. With all of the issues competition for the world's attention, Travis explains, Americans are grateful the White House isn't overlooking one of the most important.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
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"With State Department Ministerial, Trump Administration Signals Seriousness on Religious Freedom" - Travis Weber: Jul 23, 2018; https://townhall.com/columnists/travisweber/2018/07/23/with-state-department-ministerial--trump-administration-signals-seriousness-on-religious-freedom
"Victims of Religious Persecution Tell Their Stories at International Conference in DC" - Katherine Rohloff/ July 23, 2018 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/07/23/victims-of-religious-persecution-tell-their-stories-at-international-conference-in-dc/
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July 24 | TAJIKISTAN - Recently, authorities began a series of raids on congregations belonging to the Sunmin Sunbogym Protestant Church, confiscating Christian songbooks and other literature. Pray with Christians who are under surveillance by authorities.
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