Christian Groups Applaud President Trump's Executive Order Advancing Religious Freedom

Yesterday President Trump signed an Executive Order that advances international religious freedom as a priority in U.S. foreign policy. The order directs the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to take action to combat religious freedom violations and calls for a budget of at least $50 million for programs to fight religious violence and persecution abroad and protect religious minorities.

“Millions of Christians around the world suffer for their faith. Now they and other people persecuted for their religion have a stronger friend in the U.S. government.”

“Pres. Trump’s order strengthens the U.S. government’s ability to vigorously promote religious freedom worldwide and advocate for individuals who are persecuted for their faith – especially in countries that are the worst violators. It reflects the reality that religious freedom is a fundamental right and essential for security,” said Wendy Wright, President of Christian Freedom International.

The order declares religious freedom is “a moral and national security imperative” and the U.S. will “respect and vigorously promote this freedom” worldwide. It builds on a 2017 National Security Strategy that views religious freedom “not as a creation of the state, but as a gift of God to every person” and a fundamental right for “the flourishing of our society.”

“We are incredibly grateful to President Trump for prioritizing international religious freedom. This new order demonstrates a continued commitment to promoting and protecting religious freedoms abroad by stopping crimes against people of faith – and it comes at a critical time for Nigeria,” says the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), a nonprofit working to secure a future for all Nigerians.

“Right now, Boko Haram, widely known as one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world, is actively committing a genocide against Nigerian Christians and committing crimes against humanity on the wider population. Tens of thousands of innocent lives have been lost, mostly women and children. Thousands of churches have been torched. Entire communities, villages, and towns have been devastated. Millions have been kidnapped or displaced from their homes following persecution.”

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The Executive Order on Advancing International Religious Freedom:

Requires the State Department to develop a plan to prioritize international religious freedom in foreign policy and foreign assistance programs.
Assigns $50 million for the State Department and USAID to fund programs that promote and defend religious freedom abroad.
Tells diplomats to step up efforts to hold countries accountable for violating religious freedom.
Tell diplomats to raise concerns about individual cases of persecution with their foreign counterparts, and advance religious freedom in bilateral and multilateral fora.
Tells U.S. officials to ensure faith-based or religious groups are not discriminated against when it comes to foreign assistance programs and funding.
Requires State Department employees to be trained in international religious freedom every 3 years.
Highlights the Treasury Secretary’s ability to impose sanctions on people involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption.

The Executive Order calls religious communities and groups “vital partners” in advancing religious freedom worldwide.

Christian Freedom International regularly engages with U.S. officials to aid, equip and advocate for persecuted Christians.

Perhaps with government telling churches not to open their doors and threatening to look into church sermon content and contribution history, it is time to insist our leaders take steps defend our religious freedoms here at home.