Indian Christians protesting the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill also known as the Anti-Conversion Bill makes provisions for the prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by force, allurement, or by any fraudulent means with punishments ranging between a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10 years along with monetary penalties. Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images
A devastating wave is crashing over South Asia, wreaking havoc on those who choose to follow a faith other than the majority. It is a wave of anti-Christian sentiment. So-called “Freedom of Religion” and “Anti-Blasphemy” laws fuel it, generating a powerful undercurrent of distrust and disdain toward Christians.
They suppress one of the most basic human rights: the right to worship without government interference. India and Pakistan stand out as countries where this hostility results in unsubstantiated accusations, unjust arrests, and violence.
Sovereign states almost universally agree on protecting an individual’s right to choose their faith.
Sovereign states almost universally agree on protecting an individual’s right to choose their faith and peacefully practice and share it as they see fit. In fact, 175 of the 193 United Nations members are parties to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
This instrument, designed by the UN to protect citizens from the treacherous waves of religious persecution, includes India and Pakistan among its bound members. Still, religious freedom violations persist in South Asia.
Six pastors and one Christian have recently been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Thirteen of India’s 28 states have “Freedom of Religion” laws. Under Madhya Pradesh’s state “Freedom of Religion” law, six pastors and one Christian have recently been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. The pastors attended a child’s birthday party hosted by a Christian family. An uninvited neighbor showed up intoxicated and began to cause a commotion, inciting over 100 people to rage against the Christian family.
A guest called police to restore order. The neighbor consequently filed charges against the pastors. The charges led to convictions, despite testimony from the party host disputing any wrongdoing.
In Pakistan, anti-Christian sentiment has recently resulted in a large mob trapping between 10 and 15 Christian families in their homes.
In Pakistan, anti-Christian sentiment has recently resulted in a large mob trapping between 10 and 15 Christian families in their homes after an anonymous package containing a burned Quran was mailed to a shopkeeper, alleging that a Christian had desecrated the Quran. The accused and his family had to be evacuated with the aid of an armored police escort.
We applaud the government for stepping in to help. Still, one has to wonder whether it would have been necessary if the government had reformed the laws that fuel anti-Christian sentiment and, in doing so, rescued the country as a whole.
As Christians, we stand against conversion by coercion, fraud or force.
Following Jesus is a choice that each person must make on their own. As Christians, we stand against conversion by coercion, fraud or force. We believe that governments have an obligation to protect their citizens from all manner of exploitation, even religious exploitation. Laws protecting people from coercion, force and fraud are one thing. Laws that prohibit people from hearing about or choosing another religion are a completely different matter.
One enforces human rights; the other violates them. Ironically, the so-called “Freedom of Religion” laws place people in bondage by restricting their free speech and their ability to proclaim and live out their faith freely.
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