The Weekly is a rundown of news by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission highlighting the week’s top news stories from the public square and providing commentary on the big issues of our day.

5 Facts from the State Department’s 2017 Report on International Religious Freedom

On Tuesday the State Department released its International Religious Freedom Report for 2017. A wide range of U.S. government agencies and offices use the reports for such efforts as shaping policy and conducting diplomacy. The Secretary of State also uses the reports to help determine which countries have engaged in or tolerated “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom in order to designate “countries of particular concern.”

“Advancing liberty and religious freedom advances America’s interests,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when introducing the report. “Where fundamental freedoms of religion, expression, press, and peaceful assembly are under attack, we find conflict, instability, and terrorism. On the other hand, governments and societies that champion these freedoms are more secure, stable, and peaceful.”

Here are five facts you should know from the press conference and report:

1. During the press conference on the report, Secretary of State Pompeo announced the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, DC on July 25-26. The State Department will convene with government and religious leaders, rights advocates, and civil society from around the world to discuss challenges, identify concrete means to “push back against persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.”

2. North Korea remains a country of particular concern because “there was an almost complete denial by the government of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and in many instances, violations of human rights committed by the government constituted crimes against humanity.” A South Korean nongovernmental organization (NGO) said there were 1,304 cases of violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief by DPRK authorities during the year, including 119 killings and 87 disappearances. In total, an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 political prisoners, some imprisoned for religious reasons, are believed to be held in the political prison camp system in remote areas under horrific conditions. The report estimates that that 10-45 percent of those imprisoned in detention camps are Christians.

3. In Turkey, prosecutors and police continued to regard certain public religious speech and religious activism with suspicion, including proselytism by evangelical Protestants. Ambassador Sam Brownback specifically mentioned the case of evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson. “We will all continue to raise this case every chance we get until he is released," said Brownback. "There are way too many Andrew Brunsons held unfairly in prisons around the world.”

4. The Iranian government continued to harass, interrogate, and arrest Bahais, Christians (particularly converts), Sunni Muslims, and other religious minorities. The government also regulated Christian religious practices closely to enforce a prohibition on sharing the faith. There are reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested several Christians in Tehran, Rey, and Pardis, who were expected to face long jail terms after a video was released last July showing dozens of Bibles, textbooks, and theological notes. 

5. The report notes that the Chinese government “tortured, physically abused, arrested, detained, sentenced to prison, or harassed adherents of both registered and unregistered religious groups for activities related to their religious beliefs and practices,” including members of unregistered Christian churches (also known as “house churches”). Christian churches in the country stated the government increased monitoring even before the new regulations came into effect, causing “many churches to cease their normal activities.” Authorities continued to arrest and harass Christians, including by requiring Christian churches to install surveillance cameras to enable daily police monitoring of their activities. An ongoing campaign of cross removals and church demolitions continued during the year, though on a more limited basis than in previous years.

Note: As a part of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Global Hunger Relief Run 2018, including a 5k and Fun Run, will take place at Trinity Skyline Trail in Dallas, Texas. One hundred percent of your registration fee will go directly to feeding hungry people around the world through Global Hunger Relief. To register or find more information about the Global Hunger Relief 2018, visit globalhungerrelief.com/run.

This week on ERLC podcasts: Daniel Darling talks to Kyle Mann of the Babylon Bee. On the Capitol Conversations podcast, Matt Hawkins talks to Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz about his work with the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in building partnerships and creating resources to share the gospel and pursue civility. On the Countermoves podcast, Andrew Walker talks to Bruce Ashford about important issues surrounding public theology. And on the ERLC podcast, Matt Chandler talks about understanding and overcoming the inconsistencies of white evangelicals on racial issues.

Other Issues

American Culture

Study: 4,645 people died after Hurricane Maria, far more than official estimate
Politico

At least 4,645 people died amid the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico — more than 70 times the official government death toll of 64, according to a new study from Harvard University. Locals, journalists and public health experts have for months questioned the government estimate of deaths from the storm, which caused more than $90 billion in damage.  

The Forgotten Girls Who Led the School-Desegregation Movement
The Atlantic

There’s an enduring myth that the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision was “ the first step ” in the fight to desegregate schools. Rachel Devlin, an associate professor of history at Rutgers University, is looking to upend that myth.  

Bioethics

Justices allow Arkansas to enforce abortion restrictions
ABC News

The Supreme Court is allowing Arkansas to put in effect restrictions on how abortion pills are administered

Christianity and Culture

American Bible Society Requires Employees to Follow Its Evangelical Shift
Christianity Today

Brand-new covenant mandates biblical beliefs and behaviors. Plenty of Christian organizations require employees to sign a statement of faith. For over 200 years, the American Bible Society (ABS) wasn’t one of them. But now the Philadelphia-based ministry plans to implement an “affirmation of biblical community” next year, requiring all employees to uphold basic Christian beliefs and the authority of the Bible.

Televangelist says God told him he needs a $54 million jet, asks followers to pay for it
The Week

A prosperity gospel televangelist who already owned three private planes said God told him he needs a Falcon 7X, and he's holding out for his supporters to give him the $54 million necessary to add a fourth jet to his fleet. Jesse Duplantis is based in Destrehen, Louisiana.  

Family Issues

Fighting the opioid and foster crisis by supporting families
Sen. James Lankford, The Hill

In America, we’ve continually seen the impact of drug epidemics on foster care.

Does smoking marijuana make it harder for couples to have children?
Big Think

Does smoking marijuana make it less likely that couples will have children? A study out of Boston University has arrived at a clear conclusion.  

International Issues

Irish vote highlights widespread popular support for legal abortion in Western Europe
Pew Research Center

Two-thirds of Irish adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, a level of support reflected in a recent vote in Ireland on legal abortion.

Can You Hear Us Now? Chinese Christians Cry Out amidst Oppression
Providence

Imagine you search your favorite online marketplace to purchase a Bible and nothing shows up. No result. As if the scripture did not even exist. Such is the surreal scene that many Chinese citizens have found themselves in since their government barred online retailers from selling the Holy Book.  

Being Christian in Western Europe
Pew Research Center

The majority of Europe’s Christians are non-practicing, but they differ from religiously unaffiliated people in their views on God, attitudes toward Muslims and immigrants, and opinions about religion’s role in society.

Why Japan Wants Its Past Persecution of Christians to Be World Renowned
Christianity Today

A dozen “hidden Christian” sites on verge of gaining UNESCO World Heritage status. This month, a dozen Christian landmarks in Japan—where just 1 percent of the population claims Christ—have been officially recommended to be named World Heritage sites.  

Technology Issues

Drones Are Here to Stay. Get Used to It
Alex Fitzpatrick, Time

Developments in artificial intelligence and automation will make it possible to operate massive drone fleets simultaneously, increasing efficiency and greatly expanding their capabilities. 

Religious Liberty

Pompeo to gather 'like-minded' allies on religious freedom
Politico

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host a gathering of mostly “like-minded” foreign counterparts later this summer to brainstorm ways to advance the cause of religious freedom around the world. The event, slated for July 25-26 in Washington, will likely please evangelical Christians who support President Donald Trump, many of whom worry about the persecution of Christians abroad.  

Sexuality Issues

Does Pornography Feed Sex Tourism?
Public Discourse

In the wake of the Weinstein scandal and subsequent publicity of high-profile sexual abuse cases, questions about our society’s “sexual structures” are receiving greater public attention.