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Writer's pictureKnox Thames

Religion & Global Affairs Newsletter

People worldwide face a maelstrom of hate, violence, and oppression because of their beliefs. They cannot stop the storm alone, but they will resist it. Communities worldwide continue to push forward through the vortex of persecution and hostility. The question is, Will we help? Will the United States and others stand with them against the storm? Will we help stop these crimes or commit the crime of silence? Ending persecution is an audacious goal. But it is possible only if we try. The future is not set. Our actions will determine the outcome.

Epilogue – Time to Act

From ENDING PERSECUTION


 

Friends and colleagues,

 

My book Ending Persecution tries to answer these questions, ones made even more pressing as the United States nears its next election. While neither campaign has focused on these challenges, whoever wins will face them immediately as a pandemic of persecution continues to impact every faith community somewhere. American leadership is needed, and I hope my book can provide insights and new ideas.

 

It’s been a busy two months since its release. I’ve shared about the book in venues ranging from the State Department to podcasts to faith groups. Check out this great conversation with LA Times correspondent Jaweed Kaleem for Josh Good’s Faith Angle podcast AND this thoughtful discussion on The Bulletin podcast. Also worth your time is my Trinity Forum discussion with its president Cherie Harder and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, interim president of Freedom House. For a more condensed version on radio, I hit the high notes on Inside Sources about why the United States should continue advocating for religious freedom internationally.

 

Positive reviews have come from Paul Marshall for Religion Unplugged, Sean Nelson for National Review, and Judd Birdsall for Providence Magazine. Mark Movsesian highlighted the book for his Law and Religion Forum, while Massimo Introvigne interviewed me for Bitter Winter. I wrote about the book’s conclusions for Current magazine, and my Deseret News article emphasized the book’s message that the United States must redouble its efforts to defend religious freedom for all.

 

Stay tuned for future discussions with Religions for Peace, Notre Dame University Law School, the East-West Center, and the London School of Economics. I’d also welcome recommendations for additional opportunities to discuss the book or others who could review it. Should professors use the book in the classroom, I’d happily Zoom in as a guest lecturer.

 

And a word of THANKS to those who have purchased a copy! I’m humbled. For others still considering, it’s available in hardback and e-reader formats on Amazon and through Notre Dame Press. (Throughout November, Notre Dame is offering free U.S. shipping and a 40% discount with code 14CEC24.)

 

But that’s not all. Outside of the book, I continue to write and speak on issues of the day.

 

I was honored to speak before the Organization of American States during their special session about promoting religious freedom in the Americas. I responded to the Inter-American Commission report and provided practical recommendations for next steps the OAS and its members can take to protect religious freedom for all. You can watch my presentation or read my statement here.

 

Check out my remarks on “Religious Freedom and Peacemaking” for the BYU ICLRS Annual International Law and Religion Symposium in Provo, Utah. As I stated, “There can be no durable peace without religious freedom. There may be the cold peace of a cessation of hostilities. However, lasting peace will not come until people can live together, recognizing the rights of their neighbors to pursue truth as their conscience leads without fear of discrimination or violence.”

 

I continue to explore the power of sacred sites to promote peaceful pluralism. Check out this joint article for Nexus with my colleague Emily Scolaro, part of my Program on Global Faith and Inclusive Societies at Pepperdine. We highlight the potential of sacred sites to help societies develop an appreciation for religious pluralism, diversity, and the beliefs of others. In addition, I recently hosted the executive director of the Abrahamic Family House at the U.S. Institute of Peace. We learned how this new sacred site in Abu Dhabi promotes understanding during a time of division. My upcoming article for USIP will highlight our research and this meeting.

 

And we want to get the church involved. Past newsletters have mentioned Praying for ALL the Persecuted: A Global Gathering. Convened last week by Dallas Baptist University and our CAAP Network, it was a tremendous success, bringing together advocates and pastors to explore the Biblical mandate to defend anyone confronting religious persecution. Please use our prayer guides about individuals from a variety of faiths imprisoned for their beliefs. Emily Cole, a colleague with my Pepperdine program and CAAP Network, wrote an excellent article for the Christian Post about “A new approach to religious persecution.” Baptist News Global also interviewed me about the goals of this effort. Podcasts, videos, and resources will follow in the coming weeks, all hoping to inspire Christians to pray and advocate for anyone harmed for their beliefs.

 

Lastly, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, please attend our film screening about Uyghur persecution in China on November 11, hosted at Pepperdine’s law school in Malibu. All Static and Noise is a poignant documentary about the state-sponsored persecution of the Uyghur people. After the short film’s conclusion, Jewher Ilham will join us for a facilitated conversation about the film, her work to bring awareness and justice for those suffering in Western China, and the religious persecution experienced by millions. Register now for the free event.

 

Find past R&GA Newsletters here, including my Sunday essay for The Dispatch about “Fighting China--With Faith,” a thoughtful conversation with Liberty Magazine about “Does Religion Have A Place In American Foreign Policy,” and my reading list.

 

Feel free to share the newsletter with others; as always, the views expressed here are my own.

 

Regards,

Knox 



Knox Thames

Senior Fellow, Pepperdine University

Senior Adviser, U.S. Institute of Peace

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