a man's perspective

The United States Needs an Ambassador for Religious Freedom Now

The Obama administration must send a clear signal to Egypt and the Middle East that they must embrace religious freedom in full.

 

by Thomas F. Farr

 

Egyptian Copts murdered while at worship. The threat of religious extremists gaining political power in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen, and elsewhere in the Middle East.

The terrorist "Party of God" (Hezbollah) in control of Lebanese democracy.
Catholics slaughtered at mass in Baghdad. Iraq's ancient Christian population shrinks, and many non-Muslim minorities flee Iraq.

A Pakistani Christian mother sentenced to death for insulting the prophet Muhammed. A Muslim governor murdered for defending her; the public supports the murderer. Al Qaeda continues to operate in nuclear-armed Pakistan.

Taliban ideology flourishes in Afghanistan. Muslim reformers are prosecuted for blasphemy. (continued...)