The American Spectator

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In India sectarian violence is endemic, particularly among Hindus and Muslims. But Christians, constituting a much smaller minority, also are a common target. Attacks on Christians have been on the rise this year, yet the authorities often do little. Many states penalize religious minorities; some enforce anti- conversion laws, which even inhibit Christian social services.

In Sri Lanka Buddhism is dominant. The authorities often overlook private attacks on Christian churches. Efforts are underway to make Buddhism the state religion and to criminalize conversions.

In Turkmenistan the government registers religious groups and harasses believers, arresting and mistreating some. In Uzbekistan the authorities repress Islamic groups in the name of fighting terrorism and harass Christian churches through registration requirements and police repression.

Vietnam is another communist dictatorship where political authoritarianism persists long after Marxist-Leninism has lost any philosophical rigor. Churches must register; the government attempts to oversee religious organizations and activities. Believers reportedly have been detained and beaten.

What can Americans do? The U.S. can highlight religious persecution. Absent going to war, however, Washington cannot force nations to change their behavior. And even that is no answer: in the case of Iraq, war actually loosed the forces of violent intolerance upon the minority Christian community.

Which leaves the most important work to be done by religious believers and friends of liberty around the world. Through political activism, publicity campaigns, and prayer, they must press for change. Over time victories will be won, even though many will involve saving individuals and families rather than transforming regimes. But even the former matters. After all, Christians believe that God ultimately will have his way, even if one person at a time.

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