AN OPEN LETTER FROM GEORGE CHRISTENSEN

The situation for many Christians around the world remains dire.

Intensified persecution places approximately 240 million Christians in existential danger and another 400 million at risk.

Authoritarian regimes that restrict freedom of religion are on the rise, as are other groups that espouse violent ideologies and target Christians.

Not only is there cause for concern about the humanitarian disaster unfolding in some parts of the world, but the persecution of Christians affects the rights of all people and poses a threat to our core values and inevitably our national security.

We must join together and ensure that we defend the freedom to peacefully express the Christian faith, not only for the benefit of all people here and now, but in order to safeguard future generations.

Several things need to occur.

We must unite and raise awareness about the persecution of Christians. Much of this oppression is ignored by the mainstream media in an era of political correctness and the appeasement of certain groups.

We need voices like yours to ensure that those who are suffering are not forgotten. So, I am asking you to talk to your loved ones, your friends and family on social media, connect with supportive organisations, and if you can, engage with the mainstream press.

We also need to convey the importance of this issue to our leaders. We need them to know that there is an opportunity for Australia to address this in an effective and meaningful way.

A good start would be the appointment of an Australian Ambassador for Religious Freedom. The United States and other nations that share our values, have similar appointments.

An Australian Ambassador for Religious Freedom would serve to monitor abuse and violence as a result of religious persecution, harassment, and discrimination worldwide, and recommend, develop, and implement policies and programs to address these ongoing and serious issues.

An Australian Ambassador would also promote universal respect for freedom of religion or belief as a core objective of national and foreign policy.

This would reinforce the unfortunate reality that whilst Christians are primarily persecuted, the proliferation of violence and extremism in any form is a problem for all of us as a community.

So, please consider signing my petition to the Prime Minister calling for the establishment of an Ambassador position in Australia.

Persecuted communities of faith need us to raise our voices.

Yours in faith and hope,

George Christensen