Religious Freedom Is a Tenet of Foreign Policy, Obama Says

President Obama scolded China, Iran, North Korea and other countries tat are known offenders of religious persecution and oppression. He stated that religious freedom is a central tenant of American foreign policy. Specifically, speaking at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, Obama singled out Beijing for not allowing Christians among others to worship freely. Obama also condemned Iran and North Korea for holding missionaries and urged their release. Obama argued that nations that stifle religious freedom are inevitably predisposed to instability and violence.“Nations that do not uphold these rights sow the bitter seeds of instability and violence and extremism. So freedom of religion matters to our national security.” Obama used this breakfast to praise Pope Francis who similarly share the mission of alleviating poverty and promoting economic equality. This brings up the important question of diplomacy, especially when dealing with China. Obama has been very strategic when it comes to foreign rhetoric and business with China, due to the shear volume and importance that China has over the world. However, "I stress that realizing China’s potential rests on upholding universal rights, including for Christians, and Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims,” Mr. Obama said.  Obama is arguing that although China is a rising important power they cannot be given a pass for the atrocities that they are committing against religious freedom. If China is to becoming a leading force in the world they must play by international human rights rules. This is an interesting dynamic, although Obama is pragmatic in foreign relations, we see a little push from the administration that could possibly lead to a sticky situation.




http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/us/politics/obama-denounces-religious-repression.html?rref=politics&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Politics&pgtype=article


Katelyn Krumreich