UN resolution undermines religious freedom for Christians, other faiths around the world

SANTA ANA, Calif./October 19, 2009 --

In the name of religious tolerance, the United Nations is gearing up to introduce a "Defamation of Religions" resolution that will actually undermine the religious liberty and personal safety of Christians and other faith groups worldwide. At the same time, a growing grassroots movement is underway to stop it. Carl Moeller, Open Doors USA President/CEO and a leader in the battle, is available to explain the stakes.

"Many Christians living in these countries are already severely impacted by restrictive laws -- especially those living under strict Sharia law," says Moeller. "From the right to worship freely to the ability to share the gospel, the Defamation of Religions Resolution threatens to justify local laws that already marginalize Christians. As Americans, we have enjoyed a long tradition of religious liberty. The Defamation of Religions Resolution is a blow against religious freedom."

The Defamation of Religions Resolution, introduced annually at the UN, seeks to criminalize words or actions that are deemed to be against a particular religion, namely Islam. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), an inter-governmental organization of 57 countries with majority or significant Muslim populations, has been the driving force behind this resolution. The OIC is expected to introduce another such resolution to the UN General Assembly this fall.

Policy experts at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, however, believe there is a real opportunity to defeat the resolution this year. Members of Congress and non-profit organizations will be urging countries join the U.S. and vote against it.

Open Doors USA is helping to lead the advocacy effort at the UN to prevent this non-binding resolution from passing. As part of its "Free to Believe" campaign, launched two weeks ago, Open Doors will lobby key countries, organize a petition drive for Open Doors supporters to campaign against the resolution and speak to the media.

For more on the campaign, go to OpenDoorsUSA.org. A "Free to Believe" petition there invites signers to "Say NO to the Defamation of Religions Resolution."

Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers.

For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.