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Christian teams livid at Blinken for eliminating Nigeria from non secular violence record – POLITICO

International Coverage
Critics are blasting the secretary of State's transfer because the "revenge of the forms."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s choice used to be printed closing week simply earlier than he visited Nigeria, Africa’s maximum populous nation and one the place Muslim-Christian tensions have lengthy flared. | Sarah Silbiger/Pool by the use of AP
Through Nahal Toosi
11/23/2021 04:34 PM EST
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Christian teams, a U.S. govt panel and previous senior U.S. diplomats are livid over Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s choice to take Nigeria off a listing of nations accused of attractive in or tolerating non secular persecution.
Blinken’s choice used to be printed closing week simply earlier than he visited Nigeria, Africa’s maximum populous nation and one the place Muslim-Christian tensions have lengthy flared.
State Division officers gave no reason why for the transfer instead of announcing Blinken, upon the recommendation of more than a few division sections, determined Nigeria didn’t meet the prison threshold to be named as “nation of explicit worry” in an annual non secular freedom record launched by means of the secretary of State. They denied the verdict’s unveiling used to be related to Blinken’s travel however couldn’t totally give an explanation for the timeline.
Critics, then again, are calling Blinken’s transfer political, designed to assuage the most important African spouse. One former diplomat known as it the “revenge of the forms” on the State Division. Others puzzled the way it suits with the Biden management’s declare that human rights lies on the middle of its overseas coverage.
The verdict is more likely to give a boost to worries amongst conservatives, together with many evangelical Christians, that the Biden management — in contrast to the Trump management — will de-emphasize the plight of Christians persecuted in a foreign country.
“It’s a victory for the terrorists — it’s a defeat for somebody all for human rights and non secular freedom,” Frank Wolf, a former GOP congressman, stated about Blinken’s choice. Wolf spearheaded one of the crucial key law requiring administrations to call non secular freedom violators; probably the most regulations is called after him.
America sees Nigeria as a key spouse within the battle towards terrorist teams comparable to Boko Haram and the Islamic State. Nigeria is also a significant financial and political participant at the African continent, which has suffered a string of coups and different instability in fresh months.
However the problem of non secular freedom in Nigeria is sophisticated. The rustic of 200 million is more or less frivolously break up between Christians and Muslims, and the tensions between the 2 communities are continuously multifaceted. They are going to come with disputes over land and livestock grazing rights, for instance, or tribal variations.
In recent times, then again, the upward push of Islamist terrorist organizations in Nigeria has supposed faith is a better issue, some activists say. Some additionally level to using courts that depend on Islamic regulation as a problem. Many additional tension that Muslims — particularly average ones — additionally face rising threats in Nigeria.
It’s tricky to nail down precise statistics on religiously motivated violence going through Christians or different religion teams in Nigeria, however the collection of Nigerians who’ve died without delay or not directly because of Islamist fueled warfare runs into the masses of hundreds, in step with the United Countries. And there are common experiences of assaults on properties of worship, non secular leaders and others.
The U.S. Fee on Global Spiritual Freedom (USCIRF), a bipartisan panel, has since 2009 advisable that the State Division designate Nigeria as a “nation of explicit worry” on non secular freedom. In 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in spite of everything did so, incomes the panel’s reward.
A USCIRF file on Nigeria from previous this yr gave an array of examples of what seem to be faith-driven violence. Amongst them: the 2020 abduction and execution of Rev. Lawan Andimi by means of Boko Haram combatants.
In a information unlock closing week, USCIRF stated it used to be “appalled” and “particularly displeased” at Blinken’s reversal on Nigeria. “We urge the State Division to rethink its designations according to details introduced in its personal reporting,” USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza stated in a observation.
The regulations that govern the secretary of State’s choice say governments may also be categorized as being of “explicit worry” or be placed on a “particular watch record” in the event that they “engaged in or tolerated” critical violations of non secular freedom.
After “a just right dialogue throughout the division,” it used to be determined that Nigeria didn’t meet the standards for any of the designations of shock, a State authentic stated. The authentic declined to mention which division divisions took what facet within the inside discussions, however stressed out that without equal conclusion didn’t imply that U.S. diplomats wouldn’t stay elevating problems with human rights in Nigeria.
In line with other people accustomed to the problem, the State Division officers who’ve lengthy been proof against directory Nigeria as a rustic of explicit worry have a tendency to be staffers within the Africa bureau.
Like different regional bureaus on the division, the Africa phase’s most sensible precedence isn’t essentially human rights — it’s keeping up and making improvements to political relationships with different nations. It’s no longer ordinary that the bureau may need to steer clear of injecting any other issue into an already complicated dating with Nigeria.
Pompeo necessarily overruled the dep. officers who fought the designation of Nigeria. He used to be supported by means of Sam Brownback, the previous Kansas senator who served because the Trump management’s particular ambassador for global non secular freedom.
Brownback stated that he by no means argued that faith used to be the only real consider a lot of the violence in Nigeria, however that it used to be silly to fake it used to be no longer an element in any respect.
“I feel what you’re seeing is the revenge of the forms,” Brownback stated of Blinken’s choice to take Nigeria off the record.
Some other former State authentic who handled non secular freedom problems stated it used to be abnormal that Blinken didn’t even put Nigeria at the lower-tier “particular watch record.”
It used to be “diplomatic malpractice,” the previous authentic stated, talking on situation of anonymity to be candid. The previous authentic added: “You simply gave leverage away. It used to be obviously tied to Blinken’s discuss with. The Nigerians obviously cared about it. Did we get the rest out of it?”
211123_Antony_Blinken_Nigeria_president_AP_773.jpgThe State Division authentic stated Blinken’s discuss with had not anything to do with the discharge of the secretary’s record of non secular freedom violators. Reasonably, it used to be all a few closing date. Blinken used to be anticipated to unlock the record inside of six months of his unveiling of the dep.’s annual Global Spiritual Freedom Record.
However the division continuously misses cut-off dates with out repercussions. Plus, Blinken launched the non secular freedom file on Would possibly 12. That supposed the dep. had already neglected the six-month closing date when it unveiled his choice on which nations have been of explicit worry on Nov. 17.
“I remember the fact that it’s onerous to imagine that it’s a twist of fate,” the State Division authentic stated of the travel’s timing.
In truth, when Blinken launched the non secular freedom file in Would possibly, he particularly discussed non secular liberty violations in Nigeria in addition to a couple of different nations.
“In Nigeria, courts proceed to convict other people of blasphemy, sentencing them to long-term imprisonment and even demise,” Blinken stated all over a press convention. “But the federal government has nonetheless no longer introduced somebody to justice for the army’s bloodbath of masses of Shia Muslims in 2015.”
The State Division authentic pushed aside questions on whether or not the Nigerian govt had promised or introduced the rest in go back for being got rid of from the record, announcing the verdict used to be purely a prison subject. The authentic stated, then again, that Nigerian officers are smartly conscious about the various demanding situations going through their nation, together with from extremism and a rising inhabitants.
The Nigerian embassy in Washington didn’t respond to requests for remark. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim, has again and again pledged that his govt is not going to tolerate non secular or ethnic violence.
Beneath President Joe Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, the State Division made selling non secular freedom one in every of its few human rights priorities.
The trouble used to be pushed by means of evangelical Christians who supported Trump and who fear about persecution of Christians around the globe — specifically in Muslim-majority nations.
Now, Christian activists are decrying Blinken’s de-listing of Nigeria. The transfer seems to validate their considerations that the Biden management will de-emphasize the will to give protection to Christians out of the country.
One of the crucial activists say Christians face a possible genocide in Nigeria. However additionally they observe that participants of different faiths, too, face risk from extremists there.
“Boko Haram has focused each average Muslims and Christians,” stated David Curry, president of Open Doorways USA, a gaggle that works to give protection to Christians international. He stated his group used to be attaining out to U.S. lawmakers and hopes to persuade Blinken to modify his thoughts.
The Biden management has emphasised that it cares about all forms of human rights, and that it doesn’t plan to emphasise one proper over others — the best way Trump’s workforce prioritized non secular freedom. However the Biden management has additionally made a variety of choices that display it is going to no longer all the time put human rights above U.S. nationwide pursuits.
nullThat seems to incorporate ignoring any other USCIRF advice and leaving India off the nations of explicit worry record.
Biden and his aides see India as a the most important spouse within the rising U.S. festival with China. Consequently, they’ve stated little publicly about rising non secular violence towards Muslims in India.
Blinken did, then again, apply any other USCIRF advice and upload Russia to the record of nations of explicit worry. The management is at odds with Moscow over an array of problems.
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The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother

Embracing True Friendship: The Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother
Friendship is a valuable asset that enriches our lives by providing companionship, support, and a shoulder to cry on. But have you ever had a buddy who goes above and beyond—someone who remains closer than a brother? In a world where relationships can be fickle, a friend who sticks by us through thick and thin is a rare and priceless gift.
More Than Just Blood Ties
Consider the tie between siblings, which is based on blood and shared history. Consider a buddy who is more than just a family member. “One who has untrustworthy friends soon comes to ruin,” says Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse describes a friendship that goes beyond basic conditions. It’s a bond founded on trust, loyalty, and real concern for one another.
Continuous Support
Consider a buddy who is present not only during happy times but also during difficult times. This type of friend is unconcerned about changing circumstances or personal gain. They provide their presence, encouragement, and steadfast support.
Jesus expresses the core of such friendship in John 15:13 (NIV): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This selfless affection serves as the foundation for a lasting connection.
Journeys Together
Consider a friend you’ve shared many stages of life with—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This shared experience forges a link that extends beyond surface-level exchanges. The value of companionship is brilliantly captured in Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV): “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
A friend who sticks closer than a brother is someone who goes beside us through life’s ups and downs, lending a solid hand and an ear to listen.
A Mirror of God’s Love
As a symbol of God’s love for us, consider the buddy who sticks closer than a brother. God Himself offers an unbroken, unchanging, and everlasting companionship. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” says the Bible in Romans 8:38–39.
God’s love is the ultimate paradigm of true friendship—a love that is not conditional but remains faithful regardless of what happens.
Conclusion: Value true friendship.
A friend who sticks closer to you than a sibling is a treasure to be treasured. This type of friendship is founded on love, trust, and mutual care rather than convenience or shared interests. May we seek to be that sort of friend to others in our lives, just as God offers us His unfailing love.
In a world where relationships can be fleeting, let us create friendships that will endure. Let us be the sort of friends who are present in both joy and sadness, who offer unconditional support, and who mirror God’s unfailing love. We are reminded of the beauty of true friendship, which clings closer than a brother, as we welcome and cherish these unique and valuable ties.
God
The Just God

The Just God: The Divine Balance of Justice and Mercy
The concept of justice is intertwined with the fabric of human society. We seek justice, responsibility, and reparation for wrongs done. But have you ever pondered a God who is not only just but also perfectly just? The Just God is a lighthouse of truth and righteousness, providing a profound awareness of justice and kindness that transcends human comprehension.
Justice in Pursuit
Consider a world where wrongdoers go unpunished and the disadvantaged have no recourse. The pursuit of justice is a natural human goal that reflects a feeling of rightness and order. And if we as humans value justice, how much more should the Creator of the universe, who is completely just?
According to Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV), “He is the rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. He is a loyal God who does no wrong, who is straight and just. This verse reveals God’s character, which is characterized by unwavering justice.
Justice and Mercy in Balance
Consider yourself in front of a judge who holds you accountable for every action and decision you make. Imagine that same judge showing mercy and giving you a second opportunity despite the evidence against you. The just God is kind as well as just.
This delicate balance is captured in Psalm 103:10–11 (NIV): “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor does He repay us according to our iniquities. For his love for people who fear him is as high as the skies are above the earth. God’s justice is balanced by his unending love and kindness.
The Redemption of Justice
Consider a debt that you will never be able to repay—a debt of mistakes and wrongs that weigh heavy on your soul. In His perfect justice, the just God provides a solution. God provides a mechanism for justice to be served and redemption to be offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” says Romans 3:23–24 (NIV), “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. This is an example of justice being met via the redemptive act of Christ’s sacrifice.
A Call to Justice
Consider a society in which justice is not simply a notion but a way of life. In our interactions with others, the just God calls us to exemplify justice. Micah 6:8 (NIV) states unequivocally, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord expect of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Living justly entails treating people with fairness, compassion, and respect, as the character of the just God requires.
Finishing: Adoring the Just God
The Just God asks us to comprehend the breadth of His justice—a justice that supports truth, requires accountability, and strikes a balance between mercy and justice. God’s justice and mercy merge in the person of Jesus Christ, offering us redemption and restoration.
May we turn to the just God as our ultimate standard as we traverse a world that frequently grapples with issues of fairness. May we seek His wisdom and counsel in order to live justly and treat others with love and justice. We find not only a paradigm of perfect justice but also an invitation to experience the transformative power of His kindness when we embrace the Just God.
God
The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Pathway to Achievement

The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Highway to Contentment
Have you ever ever felt the nice and cozy glow that effects from lending a serving to hand to a stranger, the enjoyment that lasts for days after the act of kindness? That emotion offers a way of the pride of serving to others. The straightforward act of serving to can give us a sense of function and pleasure in contrast to the rest in a society that incessantly pushes us to place our consideration on ourselves.
The Want to Serve
Believe a society the place everybody labored to fortify the lives of people of their instant neighborhood. The need to lend a serving to hand, proportion a load, and supply comfort is on the core of carrier. The instance used to be established through Jesus Himself when he stated, “For even the Son of Guy didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his lifestyles as a ransom for plenty of.” (NIV, Mark 10:45)
Serving others is extra than just a nice deed; it is a way to emulate the compassion and love that Christ proven for us.
Discovering Pleasure in Selfless Giving
Believe spending time with the aged or going to a neighborhood refuge to hear their stories and cause them to really feel essential. Those tiny acts of kindness won’t appear to be a lot, however they be capable to make any person’s day higher, create relationships, and toughen a sense of group.
A better feeling of pleasure emerges after we set aside our personal issues and be aware of the wishes of others. The Bible admonishes us, “Every of you can use no matter present you’ve gotten won to serve others, as trustworthy stewards of God’s grace in its more than a few paperwork.” (NIV) 1 Peter 4:10 We specific the particular talents God has given us through serving others, and it’s in those deeds of carrier that we discover authentic pleasure.
Have an effect on Unmeasurable
Take into consideration the impact if all of us realized to experience serving to others. If we take a bit spoil from our tense schedules to lend a hand a neighbor, supply a sympathetic ear, or donate cash to a reason we reinforce. Small acts of kindness have the facility to unfold, sparking a sequence response of generosity and optimistic exchange.
In step with the NIV translation of Matthew 25:40, Jesus stated, “Actually I inform you, no matter you probably did for this sort of least of those brothers and sisters of mine, you probably did for me.” No longer simplest can we fortify the lives of other folks we serve, however we additionally perform Jesus’ command to like and deal with the ones round us.
Development Relationships and Connections
Believe the sensation of camaraderie that comes from cooperating with others to reach a shared purpose. Folks come in combination via carrier, growing ties and friendships that differently won’t have took place. It serves as a reminder that we’re all part of a broader group, and that group would possibly take pleasure in the acts we do.
Serving others permits us to peer the arena from many angles and to realize the demanding situations and victories of other folks round us. Our lives are enriched and {our relationships} are deepened through this sensitivity.
Conclusion: Discovering Contentment Via Carrier
Every people has a skill that is able to be opened: the pleasure of serving to others. It serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be about extra than just our personal pursuits; they’re an opportunity to fortify the lives of others.
Let’s thus embody the pride of serving to others, if it is by means of deeds of kindness, volunteering, or simply being conscious about their wishes. The easy act of serving would possibly supply mild and hope in a global that every so often turns out overwhelming. As we emulate Christ and prolong ourselves in love, we no longer simplest exchange the lives of others but additionally revel in a deep feeling of success and enjoyment that overflows into our personal hearts.
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