Obama administration fails to support religious freedom in Muslim nations, say critics
October 08, 2010
Advocates for religious freedom are increasingly concerned by the Obama administration’s record on the issue, including a shift in language from “freedom of religion” to “freedom of worship.” The shift in terminology does not recognize the rights of Christians-- primarily in Muslim nations-- who are “gunned down with impunity leaving places of worship,” says Leonard Leo, chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
In addition, the administration’s failure to nominate an ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom for nearly a year and a half, along with the Senate’s failure to date to confirm the nominee, “communicates [to foreign-service personnel] that when this person does show up, there is no need to take this position very seriously,” said Thomas Farr, senior fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University.
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Posted by: Defender -
Oct. 08, 2010 4:30 PM ET USA
Abdicating leadership in religious freedom leaves a vacuum - no country in Europe (including the EU) or anywhere else (including the UN) is ready to assume the responsibility. This administration has consistently ignored religion in this country until election time when they want something. Maybe we should slip something into Obama's wallet to remind him that people came to these shores to be able to worship God (because most people did believe) as they pleased, without government interference.
