Religious defamation efforts raise red flags

International: October 29, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The Organization of the Islamic Conference, a 56-nation bloc of Islamic countries, has a long game in view. For 10 years, they've pressed the United Nations to adopt non-binding resolutions condemning the defamation of religion.

Carl Moeller with Open Doors says the danger comes in the longevity of the non-binding resolutions. It would be easy, he says, for the OIC to come before the UN and cite longstanding support for the defamation of religion ideology.

A further push toward changing protocols and charter would not be unexpected and would have devastating results for non-Muslims living in OIC nations.

Moeller explains: "The laws that have been used by these nations to prevent Muslims from turning to Jesus Christ in faith, or to prevent the practice of Christianity openly, will be validated by the United Nations."

With the support of the UN, it will be difficult to protect believers who are already being targeted under the blasphemy and anti-conversion laws. "Pray on behalf of the 100million Christians around the world who would be impacted directly by this UN resolution becoming part of the UN charter and protocols."

Open Doors is not alone in its opposition. The Obama administration came out strongly against efforts by Islamic nations to bar the defamation of religions, saying the moves would restrict free speech.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "The protection of speech about religion is particularly important since persons of different faiths will inevitably hold divergent views on religious questions. These differences should be met with tolerance, not with the suppression of discourse."

The U.S. State Department also released its annual report on international religious freedom. In years past, it criticized Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea and Sudan for violating religious freedom.

Those eight nations are designated "countries of particular concern" for abuses of religious worshippers. The Obama administration is currently reviewing the designations, which can be accompanied by sanctions.

More than politics, it's an issue affecting the spread of the Gospel and the freedom to follow Christ. Moeller is representing Open Doors in speaking out on behalf of believers against the resolution. Its message is insidious. "The validation of these anti-conversion laws will be just a horrible reality for Christians to have to face. Imagine a government saying, 'We can persecute you, and the UN says everything we're doing is okay.' That's really what we're here to fight against."

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