Washington Times Hosts RF Conference

Faith Groups and US Government Leaders Unite to "Stop Religious Persecution Now!"

By Dan Fefferman

"Stop Religious Persecution Now!" was the theme for a one-day conference co-sponsored by the International Coalition for Religious Freedom at The Washington Times July 13. Religious leaders, human rights activists, government officials and media experts joined together for the event, which featured reports on religious persecution by representatives of 12 faith communities, ranging from Christians in Islamic lands to Muslims in China, Sikhs in the US and new religious groups in Europe.

The purpose of the event was to press the US government to increase its attention on religious freedom issues through such actions as holding hearings on Capitol Hill and putting diplomatic pressure on nations that fail to uphold international standards. An afternoon session focused on informing religious groups and non-governmental organizations how to effectively spread their messages through traditional media outlets and the new social media.

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In Memory of Takako Fujita

Martyr for Religious Freedom in Japan

Mrs. Takako Fujita, who married a Korean believer and lived in Korea, visited her home in Ehime prefecture in Japan alone, to attend a Buddhist funeral ceremony. During her stay in her parents’ home, she was kidnapped and brought to Kyoto city where she was confined in an apartment for about four months in an attempt to break her faith and force her to renounce her marriage. Like many other victims, a Christian minister was apparently involved in her confinement.

Finally, in despair, she attempted suicide and was brought to a hospital, where she died on July 13, 1997, at the age of 27. The police were aware of the situation but did not treat it as a criminal investigation, despite the fact that she had been held against her will. Nor did they assist her husband in his attempt to rescue her during her confinement. In the end, no one was arrested or indicted. Her husband returned to Japan in an attempt to attend her funeral ceremony, but her family refused to admit him.

To learn more details about Takako’s story, go Here.

To read more about other victim’s cases firsthand (Takako is #8), go Here.