President Starr calls world leaders to stand for religious freedom in Rome visit

In addition to spreading the Gospel around the world, Christians throughout history have spearheaded efforts to abolish slavery and encourage economic growth, female literacy, a free press, education and many other advances that are the bedrock of stable, democratic societies.

That’s just one of many reasons Baylor President Ken Starr gave in a recent op-ed for USA Today for why governments around the world must protect religious freedom. Judge Starr has been a leading voice advocating for religious freedom and decrying persecution, speaking on the topic in a number of forums this fall.

The USA Today editorial was released in conjunction with remarks President Starr delivered Friday in Rome at a conference on religious freedom. “Christianity and Freedom: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives,” put on by the Religious Freedom Project at Georgetown University and co-sponsored by Baylor’s Institute for the Studies of Religion, brought religious and educational leaders, journalists and authors together to address Christian persecution around the globe and highlight “Christianity’s contributions to the understanding and practice of freedom for all people.”

Judge Starr specifically exhorted western nations, and the United States in particular, to “mount an aggressive diplomatic initiative” to protect Christians in Middle Eastern societies where Christianity is in danger of becoming extinct as believers flee religious persecution.

In addition to his speaking engagement, Judge Starr, Religious Freedom Project Leaders and Baylor ISR scholars gained an audience with Pope Francis (pictured above), a highlight of the already-meaningful trip.

Sic ’em, Judge Starr!