Can Christians defend religious freedom?

Franklin Graham’s column “Persecution

of Christians isn’t rare” is absolutely correct. The persecution of Christians in other countries is a horrible evil, and nobody should suffer because somebody else’s religious beliefs are forced on them. However, Graham’s father (Billy) believed that his brand of prayer should be among students in American schools. The Grahams have also perpetrated the right-wing Christian myth that the only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ. I think true religion believers, like Graham and Vice President Pence, believe that religious freedom means right-wing Christians should be able to keep women from controlling their own bodies and discriminate against gays in public places, so I’m not sure they are the ideal spokespeople for worldwide religious freedom. Marvin Schwartzwalder Walden, N.Y.

If you ask certain American Christians about persecution, they will be happy to tell you how persecuted they are when they aren’t allowed to deny civil rights to others, when others aren’t forced to live according to their beliefs, etc. They don’t have a clue what actual persecution is. Bill Carey

There are killings going on in our world, and we need a religious freedom executive order in this country, where left-wing fascists are trying to make their twisted ideology the religion of the land. Gerald Vander Hoek

I would be much more impressed if Franklin Graham would launch a campaign to bring attention to persecution of members of all religions, as well as persecution of unbelievers on religious grounds. This occurs across the world. But he’s nothing more than a cheerleader for his own team: the Christians. Will anyone stand up for another’s religious rights? Michael Arrowood