United States

In one of the largest shows of support for an imprisoned Christian on Capitol Hill in recent years, more than 80 Senators and Representatives have signed onto a letter urging Secretary of State John Kerry to intervene on behalf of American pastor Saeed Abedini. Pastor Abedini, an American citizen, was arrested and imprisoned for eight years in Iran after returning to the country to work on an orphanage.

The following opinion editorial by Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) argues that the idea of “separation of church and state” developed by Thomas Jefferson has been turned on its head in today’s America. Rather than allowing for the free expression of faith in every area of society government is now increasing restrictions on practicing and living ones faith whenever it conflicts with current ideas of political correctness.  

Floyd Corkins of Virginia has pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in the case of a shooting at the Washington D.C. offices of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian think-tank. Corkins apparently planned to shoot as many employees of the organization as possible before smearing their faces with Chik-fil-A sandwiches. The act of terrorism was planned in reaction to Chick-fil-A’s President Dan Cathy’s statement in support of traditional marriage.  

Gregory Arthur Weiler II, an Illinois native, is facing federal charges of planning a rampage against U.S. churches, starting in Oklahoma. He was arrested after evidence of his plan as well as bomb making materials were discovered by police. Gregory’s family say he has a long history of suffering from mental illness and it is as yet unclear what motive he may have had for planning the attacks.  

Over 40 plaintiffs have sued the Department of Health and Human Services in connection with the Obamacare mandate that requires employers to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives and other birth control methods. Many employers have pointed out that the mandate forces business owners to choose between following their Christian faith and facing heavy fines by the federal government.      

Over the past year, Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy was highly criticized for his Christian-based opposition to homosexual marriage. LGBT groups protested outside of Chick-fil-A restaurants and a lone gunman from an LGBT activist group walked into the offices of the Family Research Council carrying more than a dozen Chick-fil-A sandwiches, apparently with the intention of going on a shooting rampage. In this very surprising article, written by a gay activist, it appears that Mr. Cathy has been working diligently to understand and communicate with LGBT groups about their concerns.

As reports of worsening religious freedom conditions stream in from nations formerly belonging to the Soviet Union at least one organization has organized a briefing on Capitol Hill to raise awareness among U.S. leaders of the worrying trend. 

Pastor Saeed and his lawyer were not allowed to attend the trial that sentenced him to eight years in Evin prison. This prison is notorious for violent abuse and mistreatment of its prisoners. Despite this horrendous treatment of an American citizen, the US Government has remained nearly silent on this case from the start, with “little public repudiation from President Obama.”  This article discusses the question, “why the irresponsible neglect from … the White House?”  

This is an excellent opinion article printed by the CEO and Founder of two Michigan based manufacturing companies on why the HHS Mandate under Obamacare is a violation of religious freedom. The mandate will essentially force business owners such as Mr. Kennedy to purchase abortive contraceptives for their employees.

This opinion article from the Christian Post provides several examples of deteriorating conditions for religious freedom in the United States. ICC continues to monitor the environment for religious freedom in the U.S. and believes there is a growing trend of hostility towards the Christian faith.

President Obama declared this last Wednesday “religious freedom day.” However many believe that the policies of his administration have been the most anti-religious freedom of any president yet. What do you think?

ICC Note: Congressman Wolf, a long time religious freedom advocate, has written a letter to nearly 300 Christian leaders asking them to speak up on behalf persecuted believers around the world. The Congressman has long pointed out how little churches and Christians in the West seem to know or care about the persecution of fellow believers and drew an analogy to the Christians living under Nazi Germany who ignored the Holocaust.