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It's wrong to abuse that right by talking of religious freedom in terms of satisfying a political base, says Seiple. "We diminish our responsibility when we lower to a common denominator. This is what politics can do."

The U.S. has taken the lead internationally in pressing for religious freedom. "If not for government of the U.S. raising these issues, it would not be on the radar screen of most of the countries of the world," says Land. "I've never been prouder to be an American than since I've been on the commission [on international religious freedom]."

"The problem is there is so much more to do," Land says.

Rahman's release leaves many dissatisfied. "If Rahman is released or found to be mentally unstable or if this is one-time deal making, what we have is not universal freedom of conscience, but government benevolence," says Seiple. "It peaks and valleys depending on how winds are blowing."

"There is nothing in place that would stop this kind of thing [in the future]," says Saunders. "We and other organizations have been trying to get more protection for religious freedom, particularly in Iraq. But we haven't been able to do it."

Land urges a realistic expectation for other countries' practice of religious freedom. "Our standard is not and should not be the U.S. Constitution. It is the best solution yet devised to guarantee maximum freedom of conscience. But we can't demand it. If the people of Iraq chose to make Islam the state religion, that is their choice."

"There is only so much government can do to make a situation right," says Seiple. "There are limitations on government that suggest we ratchet down our expectations."

However, we can urge countries to abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, says Land. Muslim countries "don't have the right to give preference to Islam and say we will imprison, kill, or make you a second-class citizen if you convert from Islam," says Land.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

More Christianity Today articles on religious freedom in the Middle East include:

Religious Freedom Isn't Free | Rights to faith and liberty are at risk in Afghanistan. A CT editorial (April 6, 2006)

Whose Law in Afghanistan? | High-profile apostasy case highlights legal contradictions. (April 6, 2006)

Cartoon Chaos | Muslims aren't the only ones guilty of acting out inappropriately. (March 14, 2006)

Iraq Churches Attacked Again | Threats renewed against Christian Peacemaker Teams workers. (Jan. 31, 2006)

Longing to Be Heard | It's dangerous and lonely to be an Iraqi Christian—at home or in exile. (March 21, 2005)

The Risks of Regime Change | Middle Eastern Christians might end up more repressed under democracy than under dictators. (March 18, 2005)

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has a comparative study of Muslim constitutions that discusses the variety of ways Muslim countries balance Islam, religious freedom, and church-state separation.

NPR spoke with Richard Land and Rich Cizik about how the case would effect evangelicals' support for Bush's foreign policy.

CT's full coverage of religious freedom and persecution issues is available on our site:

CT's full coverage on Afghanistan is available on our site.

More on Iraq's Christian community is available in our full coverage area.

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April (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50