The ERLC joined over 200 organizations and individuals in signing an International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable letter urging the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee leadership to support the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Reauthorization Act of 2025. This letter urges top lawmakers to prioritize USCIRF reauthorization by advancing this bill out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and setting the stage for a future House floor vote.
What is USCIRF?
USCIRF, an independent, bipartisan federal entity, was established in 1998 through the International Religious Freedom Act to monitor religious persecution and discrimination abroad. Its commissioners, appointed by bipartisan leadership from both chambers of Congress and the president, make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.
Why is USCIRF reauthorization needed?
Since its initial enactment, USCIRF funding has been reauthorized for different lengths of time – most recently, for 2 years in 2024. USCIRF has been reauthorized every renewal cycle, often nearly unanimously.
What do Southern Baptists believe about international religious freedom?
Southern Baptists have long recognized the importance of religious liberty for all people. Stretching back generations, Southern Baptists have a rich heritage of affirming the importance of and fighting to maintain protections for religious liberty for people of all faiths. The Baptist Faith & Message states “a free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.”
Persecution varies dramatically from country to country, ranging from fines, to imprisonment, to brutal torture, to the death penalty. USCIRF recognizes 95 countries that have enforced blasphemy laws, with as many as 13 countries enforcing the death penalty. Blasphemy laws seek to limit or criminalize speech that counters state-sanctioned religious beliefs and often prevent conversion from one religion to another.
As Southern Baptists, we desire to further the work of the Great Commission and see lives transformed by the gospel. Thus, the ERLC will continue working to repeal blasphemy and apostasy laws and champion the right of all people to worship without fear of oppression and persecution. We advocate for those persecuted for their faith by partnering with coalitions who are committed to religious liberty in order to advocate for international religious freedom, fight against persecution, and raise awareness of persecuted religious minorities in Congress. We are unwavering in our defense of vulnerable and penalized individuals worldwide and will contend for our persecuted fellow believers in Christ.
Learn more about how the ERLC advocates for international religious freedom.
