This is what Christians Should Know about Freedom Of Religion
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“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:19-20
The Apostle Paul sent this prayer request to the church in Ephesus while he was in prison, and what did he ask them to pray for? That he may declare the mystery of the gospel fearlessly! This is something most of us living in the West cannot relate to.
Paul knew that this request could lead to him being persecuted even more, and eventually killed, yet this did not deter him. How much more should we, Christians living in a free country, boldly declare Christ to others?
Freedom of Religion in America
Freedom of religion is a gift in America. The first immigrants who came to this land did so because they wanted to be free to worship God in the way they wanted and not how some of the European rulers dictated.
However, having freedom of religion means that in the same country, various religions, worldviews, and ideologies are present. Through the past few generations, this has created a culture of “tolerance” and “universalism” or “relativism” promoted by American culture today.
The ideologies of universalism and relativism tell Americans that all ideologies and beliefs are true, because people hold to the truths that are true and best “for them.” When this way of thinking is combined with the good concept of freedom of religion, it results in the notion that Christians should be discouraged from sharing the gospel, especially vocally, because they are supposed to respect others’ freedom of religion and should not want to “offend” anyone.
But freedom of religion must not mean that we let others stay trapped in the darkness and away from the true God. We ought to be brave and vocal in witnessing and making “known the mystery of the gospel” of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others should have the opportunity to make their own decision about following Christ because they, too, are free in this country to choose and to believe!
How many countries have freedom of religion? Do Islamic countries have freedom of religion?
The Western church can lose sight of how the rest of the world lives and operates. A majority of the world’s population is not given the right to “choose” their religion.
According to a 2023 study, one out of every three countries lacks religious freedom. This means 4.9 billion people (62% of the world population) live in countries that do not allow religious freedom. (ACN US)
In Islamic countries, there is no standard of “religious freedom” set forward by Sharia law and the Quran other than this:
Muslims are free to practice their faith openly in the communities and public spaces. Non-Muslims can only practice their faith inside their religious building that is recognized by the government (mostly churches)
Muslims are encouraged to proselytize non-Muslims in their country to expand Islam and increase the percentage of Muslims in the country, while non-Muslims will be punished, imprisoned, or even killed if they share their faith with Muslims.
Converts to the religion of Islam are protected by the government and community, while those who leave Islam lose all protection and rights.
Non-Islamic non-profits are not allowed to be established in most Islamic countries, so most ministries work under the umbrella of the legal church, or unofficially in secret.
This is common knowledge and the source are both Muslims and Christina’s who live in those countries. These are practices that have been taking place for decades even for centuries.
Muslims themselves are not given a choice when they are born into Islam – at the moment a child is born to Muslim parents, the father whispers the Islamic confession of faith into the baby’s ears. The child is raised to believe that Allah will never forgive them for questioning Islam. In most Islamic countries, the religion is on the ID of each person, and their first and family names reveal the faith they follow.
Reaching Muslims for Christ with freedom of religion
Sharing the gospel with Muslims in America is different from how missionaries have to do it in Islamic countries. Christians in the US can be much bolder and forward in their faith, because we are free to profess Christ as Lord without the threat of death. We are also free to initiate conversations about the Bible and Jesus without the threat of being imprisoned!
In fact, we can use the topic of “freedom of religion” as an opening point with our Muslim friend: Point out the value of this freedom for you and for them. If they are an immigrant from an Islamic country, odds are they grew up in a Muslim home and had no choice but to be Muslims. Now they can ask questions and decide for themselves whom to follow. (Learn more about inheriting Islam here)
During your conversations, make sure to point out that you are not a Christian because your parents are or because you’re American. Share how and why you made an intentional decision to be a follower of Christ.
It may be an eye-opening fact to the Muslim when you say: “God gives each one of us the free will to choose whether we want to follow Him. He loves us and doesn’t want us to follow Him out of fear. The wonderful thing is that He gives His followers true freedom, freedom that is greater than anything a government could provide.”
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Sharing Christ with Muslims: Freedom in Christ
Many topics could entice a Muslim to be curious about Jesus. Here are some points to get you started:
Christ said He came to give us life (John 10:10)
Jesus Christ is still alive, and He still works and does miracles
God wants to be your heavenly Father, and this can only happen when you know and believe in the One He sent.
If you’d like to grow your confidence in sharing the gospel with Muslims and prepare to talk about deeper topics, check out this free online course:
Prayer about religious freedom
Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to live in a country with religious freedoms. More importantly, thank you for giving me freedom from my sin. Please help me be a bold light and ambassador for you every day! Amen.
