The most important thing we can do to help ensure that people around the world are not persecuted for their beliefs, for changing their beliefs, or for not believing at all is to make sure that people in the position of power know about violations of these rights. This month’s action steps focus on this idea.
Last week I added a new resource to the resources page, called Forum 18. While Forum 18 is a Christian organization, their work is for the religious freedom of all people. I highly recommend bookmarking their site to stay on top of all the latest news regarding severe threats to religious freedom today.
Suggested Action Steps:
Write to your senator or US representative when you hear about a threat to religious persecution or about the issue in general.
Write to the President or US Department of State.
Write to the US embassies in other countries to share your concerns about religious persecution.
Use your blog as a place to inform others about current threats to religious freedom. Write a post about a situation and then share your feelings on why religious freedom matters.
If you are a Christian and wish to get further involved in helping the persecuted church, Voice of the Martyrs has several ways to take active steps, including writing to prisoners,becoming a voice for the VOM network in your local church, and sending action packs to persecuted Christians in Iraq, Sudan, and Pakistan. You can view a full list of their opportunities on the Voice of the Martyrs website.
Visit the Amnesty International website and find out how you can get involved from your country. Amnesty International makes it possible to send emails and faxes straight from your computer in many cases and has a wealth of information about severe threats to human rights.
**If anyone knows of any similar organizations to Voice of the Martyrs for other religions please let me know and I’ll add them to this list.
Written by Amy at My Friend Amy
I registered on the Amnesty International site. Thanks!
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I know of the Barnabas Fund, which is an organisation for helping and raising awareness of persecuted Christians around the world.
http://barnabasfund.org/
I would be very interesting to know about other organisations working within other faiths.
I decided to write to an imprisoned Pakistani woman…you can read my “wrap up” of this month’s theme, including my action step here on my blog.