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Christian teams livid at Blinken for putting off Nigeria from spiritual violence record – POLITICO

Overseas Coverage
Critics are blasting the secretary of State's transfer because the "revenge of the paperwork."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s determination was once published ultimate week simply sooner than he visited Nigeria, Africa’s maximum populous nation and one the place Muslim-Christian tensions have lengthy flared. | Sarah Silbiger/Pool by way of AP
By way of Nahal Toosi
11/23/2021 04:34 PM EST
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Christian teams, a U.S. executive panel and previous senior U.S. diplomats are livid over Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s determination to take Nigeria off an inventory of nations accused of enticing in or tolerating spiritual persecution.
Blinken’s determination was once published ultimate week simply sooner than he visited Nigeria, Africa’s maximum populous nation and one the place Muslim-Christian tensions have lengthy flared.
State Division officers gave no explanation why for the transfer rather then announcing Blinken, upon the recommendation of quite a lot of division sections, made up our minds Nigeria didn’t meet the prison threshold to be named as “nation of specific worry” in an annual spiritual freedom record launched by way of the secretary of State. They denied the verdict’s unveiling was once connected to Blinken’s travel however couldn’t absolutely give an explanation for the timeline.
Critics, then again, are calling Blinken’s transfer political, designed to soothe crucial African spouse. One former diplomat known as it the “revenge of the paperwork” on the State Division. Others wondered the way it suits with the Biden management’s declare that human rights lies on the heart of its overseas coverage.
The verdict is prone to improve worries amongst conservatives, together with many evangelical Christians, that the Biden management — not like the Trump management — will de-emphasize the plight of Christians persecuted out of the country.
“It’s a victory for the terrorists — it’s a defeat for somebody interested in human rights and non secular freedom,” Frank Wolf, a former GOP congressman, mentioned about Blinken’s determination. Wolf spearheaded one of the vital key regulation requiring administrations to call spiritual freedom violators; some of the regulations is called after him.
The US sees Nigeria as a key spouse within the combat in opposition to terrorist teams reminiscent of 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 contemporary months.
However the problem of spiritual freedom in Nigeria is difficult. The rustic of 200 million is more or less calmly cut up between Christians and Muslims, and the tensions between the 2 communities are incessantly multifaceted. They will come with disputes over land and farm animals grazing rights, for instance, or tribal variations.
Lately, then again, the upward thrust of Islamist terrorist organizations in Nigeria has supposed faith is a better issue, some activists say. Some additionally level to the usage of courts that depend on Islamic regulation as a problem. Many additional rigidity 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 selection of Nigerians who’ve died immediately or not directly because of Islamist fueled battle runs into the loads of hundreds, in line with the United Countries. And there are widespread stories of assaults on homes of worship, spiritual 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 specific worry” on spiritual freedom. In 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in spite of everything did so, incomes the panel’s reward.
A USCIRF document on Nigeria from previous this 12 months 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 way of Boko Haram combatants.
In a information free up ultimate week, USCIRF mentioned it was once “appalled” and “particularly displeased” at Blinken’s reversal on Nigeria. “We urge the State Division to rethink its designations in keeping with details introduced in its personal reporting,” USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza mentioned in a remark.
The regulations that govern the secretary of State’s determination say governments can also be categorised as being of “specific worry” or be placed on a “particular watch record” in the event that they “engaged in or tolerated” serious violations of spiritual freedom.
After “a excellent dialogue inside the division,” it was once made up our minds that Nigeria didn’t meet the factors for any of the designations of outrage, a State authentic mentioned. The authentic declined to mention which division divisions took what facet within the inner 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 keeping with other folks acquainted with the problem, the State Division officers who’ve lengthy been immune to directory Nigeria as a rustic of specific worry have a tendency to be staffers within the Africa bureau.
Like different regional bureaus on the division, the Africa segment’s best precedence isn’t essentially human rights — it’s keeping up and making improvements to political relationships with different international locations. It’s now not extraordinary that the bureau may need to keep away from injecting every other issue into an already advanced courting with Nigeria.
Pompeo necessarily overruled the dept officers who fought the designation of Nigeria. He was once supported by way of Sam Brownback, the previous Kansas senator who served because the Trump management’s particular ambassador for global spiritual freedom.
Brownback mentioned that he by no means argued that faith was once the only real consider a lot of the violence in Nigeria, however that it was once silly to faux it was once now not an element in any respect.
“I believe what you’re seeing is the revenge of the paperwork,” Brownback mentioned of Blinken’s determination to take Nigeria off the record.
Every other former State authentic who handled spiritual freedom problems mentioned it was once bizarre that Blinken didn’t even put Nigeria at the lower-tier “particular watch record.”
It was once “diplomatic malpractice,” the previous authentic mentioned, talking on situation of anonymity to be candid. The previous authentic added: “You simply gave leverage away. It was once obviously tied to Blinken’s seek advice from. 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 mentioned Blinken’s seek advice from had not anything to do with the discharge of the secretary’s record of spiritual freedom violators. Quite, it was once all a couple of cut-off date. Blinken was once anticipated to free up the record inside six months of his unveiling of the dept’s annual Global Spiritual Freedom File.
However the division incessantly misses cut-off dates with out repercussions. Plus, Blinken launched the spiritual freedom document on Would possibly 12. That supposed the dept had already neglected the six-month cut-off date when it unveiled his determination on which international locations have been of specific worry on Nov. 17.
“I take into account that it’s arduous to consider that it’s a twist of fate,” the State Division authentic mentioned of the travel’s timing.
If truth be told, when Blinken launched the spiritual freedom document in Would possibly, he in particular discussed spiritual liberty violations in Nigeria in addition to a couple of different international locations.
“In Nigeria, courts proceed to convict other folks of blasphemy, sentencing them to long-term imprisonment and even dying,” Blinken mentioned all the way through a press convention. “But the federal government has nonetheless now not 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 executive had promised or introduced the rest in go back for being got rid of from the record, announcing the verdict was once purely a prison topic. The authentic mentioned, then again, that Nigerian officers are smartly acutely aware of the numerous 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 executive won’t tolerate spiritual or ethnic violence.
Below President Joe Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, the State Division made selling spiritual freedom certainly one of its few human rights priorities.
The hassle was once pushed by way of evangelical Christians who supported Trump and who fear about persecution of Christians world wide — in particular in Muslim-majority international locations.
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 in another country.
One of the activists say Christians face a possible genocide in Nigeria. However additionally they observe that participants of alternative faiths, too, face threat from extremists there.
“Boko Haram has focused each average Muslims and Christians,” mentioned David Curry, president of Open Doorways USA, a gaggle that works to give protection to Christians international. He mentioned his group was once achieving 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 way in which Trump’s group prioritized spiritual freedom. However the Biden management has additionally made quite a lot of selections that display it is going to now not all the time put human rights above U.S. nationwide pursuits.
nullThat seems to incorporate ignoring every other USCIRF advice and leaving India off the international locations of specific worry record.
Biden and his aides see India as a the most important spouse within the rising U.S. pageant with China. In consequence, they’ve mentioned little publicly about rising spiritual violence in opposition to Muslims in India.
Blinken did, then again, apply every other USCIRF advice and upload Russia to the record of nations of specific 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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