Thought and Culture

Christian Religious Liberty Organizations

Religious liberty organizations defend freedom of religion and conscience, often for Christians and frequently for people of every faith. They differ in an important way that is worth naming: some press for the free exercise of religion in public life, while others emphasize the separation of church and state, and these can point in opposite directions. Others again work not on domestic law but on the relief of Christians persecuted abroad. The category holds several distinct callings.

What these organizations do

They defend the right to believe, worship, speak, and live according to conscience. Some litigate and advocate on domestic law; some monitor and relieve religious persecution around the world; some study and teach the principles of religious freedom.

Real organizations, and where they differ

The organizations below are named for information, not endorsement. The Living Bread is not affiliated with them, does not vouch for every view they hold, and encourages you to verify anything that matters directly with the source.

• Becket and First Liberty Institute litigate for religious freedom, Becket notably on behalf of many faiths, not only Christians.
• Alliance Defending Freedom is also active in this area from a conservative Christian standpoint (see our page on Christian legal organizations for the fuller, and contested, picture).
• Open Doors serves persecuted Christians worldwide and publishes the annual World Watch List tracking where the faith is most dangerous to hold; International Christian Concern does related advocacy and relief.
• The BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty) emphasizes the separation of church and state as the guardian of soul freedom, a distinct and sometimes opposite stance from advocacy groups that press for religion's larger role in public life.

It is worth noting that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is a government body, not a private ministry, and is not counted among these organizations.

How this connects to Christ

Christians pray for a quiet and peaceable life and for all in authority, and the truest defense of religious freedom defends it for everyone, not only for oneself. Jesus never coerced belief; he invited it. A liberty worth having is the liberty of conscience for the neighbor as much as for the self.

Frequently asked questions

What is a religious liberty organization?

A group that defends freedom of religion and conscience, the right to believe, worship, speak, and live by one's faith. Some litigate domestic cases, some relieve persecuted Christians abroad, and some study and teach the principles of religious freedom.

Do all religious liberty groups agree?

No. Some, like Becket and First Liberty, press for the free exercise of religion in public life, while the BJC emphasizes the separation of church and state. These can point in opposite directions. Others, like Open Doors, focus on persecution abroad rather than domestic law.

What is the Open Doors World Watch List?

It is an annual ranking published by Open Doors of the countries where it is most dangerous to follow Jesus, based on the organization's research into persecution of Christians. It is offered here as information about the organization, not an endorsement of every method or claim.