What Can We Do?

I am writing this chronicle in the plane to Washington. I am coming from a very interesting meeting with Christian leaders. As you can imagine we talked about religious freedom. In the past that kind of topic did not come naturally in the discussion. We had to provoke it and it was not always well received. Some of my friends thought that religious freedom bore in itself the seeds of chaos and division. Some others thought that it was not an issue. Why? God had given their country to their Church: “We have been here for generations and we don’t need others.” Of course no one asked: “But before you came, who was here?”

Looking at history we realize that there is always a “before”. Before the Christians, before the Muslims, before the Buddhists, before the Incas.  There is always a “before” and an “after” as people and cultures are constantly changing. Religion can be a real blessing for people when it is freely accepted and not imposed.

The religious freedom issue is present in the news almost daily: forced conversions, executions of those who don’t want to be converted, and assassinations of those accused of blasphemy or apostasy.  It has become impossible for a group of religious leaders to spend time together listening to reports from the world without asking the question: “What are we doing to help those who are persecuted? What are we doing to protect our own freedom?”

To speak is not enough, but it is a beginning. To hold events, gatherings, to collect signatures is not enough, but it is a good way to increase the awareness.

I was pleased to read that the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church had asked the President of Pakistan to give his pardon to Asia Bibi.  But during the same time a Christian couple accused, by rumor of blasphemy, was beaten then burned alive. This kind of crime has become a method to eliminate competitors. Religion is used but the real motive is often jealousy. Only a fair investigation could reveal that.

In a number of cases we have the following scenario:  A rumor of blasphemy is spread. From the mosque a call to punish is given and a mob is immediately formed, even before there is any investigation. A human target is publicly named which leads to their execution. What can we do?

It will be difficult change the law and the tradition, but we cannot keep silence, as innocents are victims of such outrageous crimes. I am convinced we can do something. We can ask governments of democratic countries to encourage Pakistan to protect the rights of its citizens and to arrest and condemn the criminals. Some may argue that religious freedom is not a priority for the majority of the people living there. But let’s say: “What about justice?” Is there a government in the world which could say publicly: “Sorry, but justice is not a priority.”?

What can we do? We can ask, by letters, petitions and rallies, that justice be done, that the innocent be protected and murders arrested and judged. Is it asking too much of a government? It will not change the fact there is no religious freedom in some parts of the world but it will at least give a legitimate protection to all people, including religious minorities.

 --John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association