Producer's Desk — religious freedom

My latest column, written for The Wall Street Journal:

Excerpt:

“The removal of 462 children from the FLDS polygamist sect’s… ranch in Eldorado, Texas…has raised important questions about separation of church and state and the First Amendment’s “free exercise” protections.

Americans believe fervently in the “unalienable” right to the “free exercise” of religious faith without interference from government. However, we also have a deep-seated interest in protecting children from abuse.

What should Americans make of all this? How do we respect religious freedom while protecting children?”

Read the complete column…

Video from C-SPAN: Commissioners talk to reporters and answer questions of their 2008 recommendations to the State Department on concerns for religious treatment and tolerance of religious minorities in various parts of the world.

“Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, or belief, simply does not exist in North Korea.” - Richard Land

Watch the press conference…

My latest post at Casting Stones:

“Today, May 1, was the 20th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer authorized by Congress and President Reagan. I had the great privilege of attending the National Day of Prayer Observance in the East Room of the White House. As I left the White House and made my way to a press conference in Senator Russell Park (across the street from the Russell Senate office building) to protest the manifold human rights abuses perpetrated by China and North Korea, I could not help but express my heartfelt gratitude to God for the blessing of having been born in this great country…”

Read the complete post…

Richard Land sits down with John Chowning, Campbellsville U.’s Vice Pres for Church and External Relations. Click to view.

Their discussion includes:

• Purpose and activities of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
• Practical applications of church and state
• Sex trafficking
• First Amendment, religious liberty and pluralism
• Genocide in Darfur
• and lots more…

(Video is streamed in Windows Media format from Campbellsville U.)

Dr. Land’s most recent post to Beliefnet:

“…These countries are just a few of the examples of the fact that when given the opportunity, majority Muslim countries embrace free elections, and when they exercise their franchise, they do not choose radical Islamist candidates to represent them. That is why the radicals try to murder and terrorize their way to power – like all totalitarians, they don’t do well in the democratic process. Could the Bush doctrine of promoting free and fair elections in Muslim majority countries – actually be working?” Read the rest at Beliefnet…

I’ve posted a new entry at the Newsweek/Washington Post On Faith blog in response to this question:

“According to a new Pew Forum survey, more than 4 in 10 Americans have switched their religious affiliation since childhood or dropped out of any formal religious group. Is this a mark of the health or sickness of American religion?” - Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham

• Read my response to this question.
• Listen to related commentary on the most recent Richard Land LIVE! broadcast.
• My OnFaith Archive

Richard Land participates in a USCIRF hearing on Advancing Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights in Iran.

• Streaming video from C-SPAN.
• Full transcript from USCIRF