Today, the U.S. State Department issued its 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom. In her remarks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made several points that deserve special attention. (Watch the video here). Specifically: 
“The right to profess, practice and promote one’s religious beliefs is a founding principle of our nation.”
Furthermore:
“This is not just an American value. This was agreed to be a universal value (in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).”
THEM’S FIGHTIN’ WORDS?
But Clinton didn’t stop there. She also reminded us that, in a healthy society, freedom of expression is equally important. At a time when some countries would prefer to deny free speech to anyone who dissents from prevailing religious views, the U.S. stands firm in this conviction: Tolerance – not oppression – is the tie that binds civilized people.
So the question remains:
In a world where some wish to silence those who don’t share their religious convictions, how can we ensure that all may enjoy the freedom to worship and express themselves as they choose? What’s the best way to preserve and protect these fundamental rights?
The answer isn’t easy. And, as history has shown us, sometimes it comes at great cost in both human life and treasure. But if we allow the values we all hold dear to be eroded by indifference, we risk losing much more than our voice. In fact, we lose our souls.
This is why I volunteered to train Afghan people to defend themselves against terrorism. It’s why I fought on their behalf. And it’s why I’d gladly defend them again, if asked. It’s what I hope other countries would do for us.
If we don’t defend these core human principles, who will?
Jeff
(For more insights about helping the Afghan people to oppose the Taliban, check out my book, “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Learn more at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)
