Articles by Knox Thames on Religious Freedom

Nov 7, 20231 min read

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

I was honored to give the Sunday sermon to mark the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church at Plymouth Haven Baptist...

Nov 2, 20231 min read

IRFA @ 25 Presentation

Find my presentation at the event celebrating 25 years of the International Religious Freedom Act, hosted at the U.S. Institute of Peace...

Oct 28, 20235 min read

Creating 21st Century Religious Freedom Advocacy

October marks 25 years since Congress passed the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. A groundbreaking piece of legislation for...

Oct 26, 20234 min read

Building on 25 years of religious freedom advocacy

A quarter of a century after passing the International Religious Freedom Act, global persecution continues while domestic battles around...

Oct 2, 20231 min read

Commemorating IRFA: Why Religious Freedom Remains Vital to U.S. Law and Policy

Check out my remarks regarding U.S. international religious freedom policy at an RFI event marking the 25th anniversary of IRFA. With...

Sep 19, 20231 min read

Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief through Religiously Inclusive Education

See my chapter in Poverty and Prejudice: Religious Inequality and the Struggle for Sustainable Development, edited by Mariz Tadros,...

Sep 12, 20234 min read

Three anniversaries will force issues of religious persecution at the UN General Assembly

Whether world leaders grapple with interconnecting issues of religion and global affairs remains to be seen, but they cannot afford to...

Sep 9, 20234 min read

Russia’s Leadership Role Is Wrong for UNESCO

Russia’s ongoing leadership role with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, makes a mockery of...

Aug 25, 20234 min read

In Pakistan, religious freedom is withering

The torching of churches in Pakistan has brought to global attention the dire state for religious minorities in that troubled country....

Aug 23, 20231 min read

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are misused and in need of reform

The Aug. 18 news article “Pakistan arrests 130 people after churches attacked on blasphemy rumor” rightly mentioned the slow police...

Aug 14, 20235 min read

Can Brazil Lead on Religious Freedom?

As South America’s largest country by population, landmass, and economic strength, Brazil has the resources, expertise, and political...

Jul 14, 20231 min read

Defending Belief for All

Wonderful to attend the annual Jalsa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the United States. Great people and fellowship. Highlighted...

Jun 24, 20235 min read

The Biden-Modi Meeting Was a Failure for Democracy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received VIP treatment at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue this week, including a state dinner with...

Jun 24, 20231 min read

Interview with EWTN about India

"If the India that we're drawing near towards doesn't respect human rights, doesn't respect religious freedom then we're really not...

Jun 16, 20235 min read

America Shouldn't Ignore Rights Abuses in India

In Washington policy circles, conventional wisdom has it that democratic India is a logical, natural, and indispensable strategic partner...

May 26, 20235 min read

Religious Persecution at the Far Edge of India

Spurring India’s political leadership to change course and confront religious violence will take outside pressure. As is often the case,...

May 19, 20234 min read

Book Review: Politics of Hate: Religious Majoritarianism in South Asia

Politics of Hate: Religious Majoritarianism in South Asia Edited by Farahnaz Ispahani HarperCollins India 2023 336 pp., £17.99 paperback...

May 12, 20233 min read

Book Reviews: Promoting religious freedom in an age of intolerance

Book Reviews: Promoting religious freedom in an age of intolerance Barbara Ann Rieffer-Flanagan Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2022, 244...

May 8, 20234 min read

Lebanon’s unique religious diversity is under threat

The influx of more than 1 million Syrian refugees, hyperinflation and government impotency have created existential challenges. Lebanon...

May 5, 20239 min read

Saving International Religious Freedom

Twenty-five years ago, landmark legislation birthed a new era for religious freedom diplomacy. Has the International Religious Freedom...