Counsels on Christian Worldview
Counsel #20 — Global Threats To Religious Liberty
Picture: Counsel #20 — Global Threats To Religious Liberty CCW 128.1
Religious liberty is under pressure around the world. From violence against religious minorities to limitations on religious expression, these challenges can make worshipping according to one’s conscience and conviction very difficult.[189] CCW 128.2
- Government Persecution: In some countries, governments actively persecute religious minorities, restricting worship, limiting employment, imprisoning religious leaders, and even resorting to violence and murder.[190]
- Nationalism and Religion: Nationalist ideologies can sometimes fuse with religion, creating a state-sponsored faith and suppressing dissent. This can be seen in countries where a specific religion is heavily favored by the government.
- Social Pressures: Intolerance and social pressure can make it difficult for individuals to practice their faith freely, even if the law allows it—especially in communities with a dominant religion.
- Hate Crimes: Religious minorities are often targets of brutality and hate crimes, creating a climate of fear and hindering religious freedom.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV CCW 128.3
“Let us show people where we are in prophetic history, and seek to arouse the spirit of true Protestantism, awakening the world to a sense of the value of the privileges of religious liberty so long enjoyed.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 716 CCW 128.4
Reflect: How does John 14:27 relate to the potential or present loss of religious liberty? CCW 128.5