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At Large
Bishops, Religious Freedom, and Islamist Terror
Free expression is hard to defend in Middle East conditions.
Sadly, four Anglican bishops in the Middle East have joined to endorse international blasphemy laws.
“In view of the current inflamed situation in several countries in response to the production of a film in the USA which evidently intends to offend our Muslim brothers and sisters by insulting the Prophet Mohammed, and in view of the fact that in recent years similar offensive incidents have occurred in some European countries which evoked massive and violent responses worldwide, we hereby suggest that an international declaration be negotiated that outlaws the intentional and deliberate insulting or defamation of persons (such as prophets), symbols, texts and constructs of belief deemed holy by people of faith,” they wrote the United Nations general secretary.
The four bishops serve in or are responsible for churches in Egypt, Cyprus and the Gulf, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
The bishops’ letter, as noted by “Anglican Ink,” somewhat echoes the 2011 United Nations’ resolution urging nations to “combat” negative speech and attitude about religious groups. It dropped a specific reference to “defamation” long pushed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) of 56 majority Muslim countries. Like the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the resolution affirms freedom of expression. But clearly its emphasis is on squelching criticism.
Likewise the Anglican bishops insisted their proposed declaration would not contradict freedom of expression. But their suggestion is to “outlaw” defamation of religion, which certainly does assail free speech. They understandably want to preempt violence, but by restraining “malicious opinions.” The bishops concluded that “as people living here in the Middle East, we see that the way ahead for peaceful coexistence and religious harmony is through mutual respect and love.”
Who can fault these poor bishops, responsible for tiny, besieged flocks, saying what they must for continued survival? Unlike the U.S. Embassy in Cairo trying to appease the mob, Christian communities in the Middle East have no earthly power to defend them. Amid ongoing Christian exodus from the region, they are trying to preserve what remains. God bless them. But Christians elsewhere, with other people of conscience, must defend truly free expression, even when Islamist killers threaten. Otherwise, today’s free societies may slide into what these bishops must now routinely experience.
Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, who unlike declining Mideast churches are surging in numbers, are typically more robust in defending religious freedom. Nigeria’s Catholic bishops recently denounced the Islamist terror group Boko Haram and demanded their national government act aggressively to defend vulnerable Christians in the country’s mostly Islamic north.
“The patience of Christians, especially in the north, has been tried and tested for too long now through the unprovoked and senseless killing of Christians by the dreaded Islamic sect,” the bishops announced. “We ask that the reckless attacks on them and other innocent Nigerians be brought to a halt through the proper use of intelligence and expertise available of government and security agencies both within and beyond Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s Catholic bishops cited their national Constitution’s protection of religious freedom. But they regretted that “some Nigerians misunderstand their right to religion as right to persecute other Nigerians of different religious persuasion. The right to propagate one’s religion must not be exercised in ways that violate the right of people of other religions. We deplore the use and abuse of religion to trample on the rights of others.” Not shy, the bishops denounced their violent enemies as blasphemous and fraudulent. “We wish to note that those who claim that they love God while hating their fellow human beings, even to the extent of killing them, are liars,” the bishops declared. “God has not given anyone the right to kill in his name. Neither has he authorized anyone to violate the dignity of other human beings.”
One bishop preached to his fellow Nigerian prelates: “We must speak out loud and clear against some states in the northern part of our country, where the fundamental human rights of Christians to freedom of religion and worship are abbreviated, where Christians are not permitted to proclaim their faith publicly; where they are not allowed to acquire lands for the building of Churches, schools and hospitals.”
Despite supposed national legal protections, Muslim law often prevails in Nigeria’s northern provinces. Nigeria’s Catholic bishops, similar to its Anglican and most other Protestant leaders, do not trumpet limits on freedom of speech to “protect” religion but instead are demanding full religious liberty for all persons.
No doubt many American church leaders could profit from their courageous and morally consistent example.
About the Author
Mark Tooley is president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, D.C. and author of Methodism and Politics in the Twentieth Century. You can follow him on Twitter @markdtooley.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (33) | Leave a comment
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Appleby| 9.21.12 @ 6:32AM
Jesus warned that this day would come, and it has come over and over during the years since He walked the Earth. From the days when frightened "leaders" urged that their followers put just a pinch of incense on the Emperor's altar -- what would it hurt? -- to the days when TheKids argue that Jesus will never return and the world will never end, so why not just "go along to get along", the temptations to give in have been strong. However, it has never been true that we can surrender our way to peace. And it is not true now.
P.S. When somebody starts seriously discussing religious freedom for Catholics, perhaps we can have this discussion again.
Aristocat| 9.21.12 @ 7:27AM
Would that our government would be as strong in defending Christians around the world who are being murdered in the name of Islam.
Von Mises Jr| 9.21.12 @ 8:30AM
Our Dear Leader and Eric "Fast and Furious" Holder just brought in the film maker for questioning after ousting his name and residence to the world.
We have the Opologizer of the United States persecuting a man to appease Islam at this moment, and we can change the Middle East?
What we must realize is that the attacks in Egypt and Libya were on American soil. It was an act of war against Americans and our sleazy prezzy sends out the FBI to look for DNA. The irony is astounding that we would talk of freedom of religion and speech for people in Muslim tyrannical dictatorships, but at the same time violate a film makers privacy and let dead (including a tortured and sodomized Ambassador) be given no justice on American soil.
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 8:50AM
Actually, when you're not busy entering the Contest, you can console yourself with the FACT that these guys don't have much time left, anyway.
These Animals will BURN THEM OUT, just as soon as their Friends finishes Raping their Ugly Wives, thus Finalizing their Muslim Style Divorces.
Al Adab| 9.21.12 @ 1:35PM
Gentlemen:
American exceptionalism (which does exist) stems in large part from our belief in freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Even our brothers in Canada reject free speech (remember the Mark Steyn trial) as a judge there declared it aan American value.
Blasphemy and the ridicule of religion is not solely aimed at Islam. Remember The Last Temptation of Christ and the current play Book of Mormon? To say nothing of items presented as "art", mostly obscene, dealing with secular views of religion. Yet where are the Christians rioting in America? Have our mobs burned the Egyptian embassy or Libyan one?
We must understand the great value of Western Civilization and defend it every chance we can against those, even domestic enemies, who would subvert and destroy it. That this nation is currently under the thumb of an administration which does not share those western values is dangerous not only to the U S but to the world at large.
BTW: TLP, What contest?
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 1:48PM
Go to Roger Kaplan's Column.
Al Adab| 9.21.12 @ 2:08PM
Thank you. See my post there.
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 2:11PM
That was quick.
(It doesn't suck, does it?)
SUBVET| 9.21.12 @ 10:23AM
What about religious freedom for mormons ?
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 1:50PM
Contest.
Kaplan's.
Be there, or be Old.
Alex Feltham | 9.21.12 @ 7:48AM
Luckily bishops are not our most promising ally in the fight against Islamism.
A positive story from Iran "My Kinda Girl" at:http://john-moloney.blogspot.com/ illustrates this.
Jack in Wi| 9.21.12 @ 8:07AM
The solution is full religious freedom and liberty. But that can be done in a respectful way. You don't attack a religion with hate films and name calling which is all too common this site. I think Muslims have every right to demonstrate against this film , but only in a peaceful way. I wish Christians would do the same in regards to all the hate and blasphemy directed at them from Hollwood. 50 years ago such things were unthinkable in a civil society.
Appleby| 9.21.12 @ 8:46AM
Now, Jack, please climb into a lion's cage and explain to the lion that he must treat you in a peaceful and respectful way.
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 8:53AM
By Jove. The old Bat's done it, again.
Jack in Wi| 9.21.12 @ 6:10PM
Only an idiot goes in the Lions den. Stay away from the lions Appleby. We have no business in their den. It's their countries not ours. Leave them alone and get the hell out. They need us a lot more then we need them. The Middle East will be a far better place without us. They will just have to figure it out for themselves.
Jrk| 9.21.12 @ 10:16PM
Your just a gutless coward Jack. Now go to the person who has your testicles and ask for them back.
spike59| 9.21.12 @ 9:16AM
"I wish Christians would do the same in regards to all the hate and blasphemy directed at them from Hollwood."
----------------------------------
actually, Christians DO demonstrate 'in a peaceful way'; apparently you've not been paying attention. please tell me when it has been otherwise....any beheadings, bomb attacks, murders, etc by Christians who are offended by Hollywood's repeated insults?????
nathan| 9.21.12 @ 12:55PM
Well, they didn't always of course. How far back are you willing to go? The Puritan fathers executed preachers from Rhode Island as "heretics" for preaching Christianity in a manner they considered contrary to what they considered "correct". We can assume Madison was aware of this when he wrote the First Amendment.
The "troubles" in Northern Ireland were certainly anything but peaceful and while there was a political component to that, the underlying issue was certainly religious and the death toll was not small.
The doctrine of "deicide" was used to oppress Jews for 2K years and not repealed until after the Holocaust. To the Jews the good "christians" throughout Europe herding them onto the trains for Auschwitz didn't look overly noble to them.
Look closely at the pogroms in Eastern Europe over the past 100's of years (Fiddler On The Roof gives you a taste of that) and the similarities are certainly there. The Inquisition wasn't particularly gentle with percieved heresy. So yes we've had our moments.
And moved on. And who is to say that just as we moved on from our "moments" they won't do the same, the time line simply being different/longer?
nathan| 9.21.12 @ 1:07PM
The question here is what do we take from history? Maybe nothing. But civilations rise and fall differently at different times. To say that we've NEVER behaved like this, even in this country is certainly factually incorrect. Granted that the rioting against blacks was not religious based but blacks in this country subject to those lynch mobs know precisely what those mobs look like. Does the reason matter? Have a cross burned in your yard and what are YOU thinking?
It doesn't excuse what they do. Not at all. But we sit here today saying WE don't behave this way. But not too long ago, we did. The question for us is how did we get past it. How did Northern Ireland resolve their problems? How did we finally come to peace in the south?
To some extent it took courageous people willing to speak up, risk their lives and say "no more". It always does. Do those people exist today? Maybe? We've seen over time that sometimes people get tired and do speak up, do face down the bad guys. Let's hope and do what we can to encourage those voices.
Jrk| 9.21.12 @ 10:21PM
I'm willing to bet you wont be one of those "voices" in fact you say as much in your diatribe. Do us all a favor and STFU. You gutless coward. I suggest you get with Jack, Nathan ,and see if that person has your testicles as well.
spike59| 9.24.12 @ 6:00AM
"To some extent it took courageous people willing to speak up, risk their lives and say "no more". It always does. Do those people exist today?"
----------------------------------------------------------
there are NONE in this Administration; they've all fallen into a state of dhimmitude
Nick| 9.21.12 @ 7:43PM
There was no "doctrine of 'deicide' [...] for 2K years," Nathan.
You are as ignorant of Christianity as you are of history and the Constitution.
Jack in Wi| 9.22.12 @ 1:49AM
For once I agree with Nick. Christians and Jews have lived together for 2000 years in a bad marriage. But we are both still here. The Church never had a doctrine of deicide.
spike59| 9.24.12 @ 6:06AM
since my post was directed at idiotic comments regarding Christians' response to Hollywood's long pattern of denigrating Christians and Christianity, you OBVIOUSLY didn't bother to read the original post, or my response, before blathering...can you elnighten me as to how many films and TV shows the Puritans produced?
C. Vernon Crisler | 9.21.12 @ 10:53AM
So then hateful attacks against Jews and Israel should also be verboten?
Alex Feltham | 9.21.12 @ 8:11AM
The above link is not functioning. Here it is again:
http://john-moloney.blogspot.com/
Ken (Old Texican)| 9.21.12 @ 9:42AM
God bless these Bishops. They are simply trying to keep their parishioners from bein slaughtered out of hand.
A batalion of recently relieved vets from Afghanistan could stop all of this.
Please, God, help us get rid of our muslim President.
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 9:48AM
Contest.
TLP| 9.21.12 @ 1:49PM
Kaplan's Column.
cicero| 9.21.12 @ 12:57PM
Just like in the once great American cities, riots can be fun, and at times lucrative. In order to stop them you have to remove the fun and profit. As in America,in virtually all of the riots since the 60s, they were mere excuses to party and steal someone elses' stuff. In the Muslim countries recently, they are an excuse to kill, loot, and hide behind some claim of religion.
None of this will stop until those been killed and pillaged make it stop. I am afraid that nothing will happen in the Arab countries, as they have already driven out most of the non-Muslim population. In those areas of sub-Saharan Africa that are exxperiencing the problem, those being harmed will have to stand up to the Islamists, and push back - HARD. It will not be pretty. Waiting for government to come to your aide is foolhardy. The concerned governments are all too afraid of the monster turning on them, andd driving them from power. Of course, their time will come, but those currently in power are ganbling that they will already have theirs, and will be gone before it happens.
nathan| 9.21.12 @ 2:31PM
Sir: You assume a monolithic view of islam don't you? Take what you say here, most all non muslims have been pushed out. In Iran that's not necessarily true, sizeable minority populations exist including Jews and others with functioning religious sites.
But how does the serious splits within islam itself, shia, sunni, sufi, and who knows how many more, with considerable hatred among these groups, factor into your statement here? We know that their hatred for each other (at least among the hard core, most muslims of any sort would just as soon be left alone and go about their business) is close to as strong if not stronger than their hatred for the west. So how does that play out? And what can we do to minimize our exposure/losses in a multi-dimensional islamic world as opposed to a monolithic one that many talk about but doesn't seem to exist? (Look at Iraq and the sectarian violance that goes on there now after we've left the building.) And factor in even among muslims tribal considerations which sometimes trump religion is in Afghanistan. Not as simple as it seems on the surface?
Havoc| 9.23.12 @ 6:32PM
The best way to defend freedom of speech here is to close the mosques and deport the muslims. They have no place in a free society.
Nixonfan| 9.24.12 @ 1:27PM
This makes good sense to me: Muslims outlaw Christianity, while Christians outlaw criticism of Islam. That seems fair.