Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives

It is called the “International Religious Freedom Act.” Passed in 1998 with overwhelming support of both houses of Congress, this law is designed to review the status of religious freedom throughout the world. The State Depart-ment’s annual report indicates that religious rights of Christians are being violated in more than forty countries.

We who are engaged in mission outreach share concern about these restrictions and pray that God breaks down barriers to the gospel.

But, there is a new concern. Should the United States pretend to monitor religious freedom around the globe when these very freedoms are being denied within its borders?

The recent court order to remove the granite monument bearing a replica of the Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building is but one more example of curtailed religious freedom in the US.

This decision by federal judge Myron Thompson supposedly supports the “separation of church and state,” an illusive phrase culled from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson; however, there is not one word in the Constitution about “separation of church and state.”

The First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

All too often this amendment is quoted only in part. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” This partial quote lacks an ellipsis—the little dots at the end of the sentence that signify the quote is incomplete.

It is time for us to insist on compliance with the second part of the amendment, “…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

This amendment has erroneously been labeled the “non-establishment” clause. It might better be called the “free exercise” clause. The intent was to protect public expression of faith in God.

Today the courts defy constitutional law with decisions that reflect an increasingly godless society. If this trend continues, missions are in jeopardy. A land noted for sending missionaries around the world may crumble and fall. It is doubtful that armed forces from without will bring down our country. It is the inner rot that should concern us. “Let freedom ring!”

Ron Blue is international mobilizer for CAM International.