Knox Thames
Knox Thames is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Knox Thames
Another dark Christmas in Ukraine
By Knox Thames — January 3, 2024
(RNS) — As Orthodox Christmas approaches, we cannot abandon Ukraine to Russian destruction.
Leaning into the hope of Advent when the world feels so dark
By Knox Thames — December 15, 2023
(RNS) — Human rights advocates are experiencing a painful purgatory of in-betweenness.
Building on 25 years of religious freedom advocacy
By Knox Thames and Peter Mandaville — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — A quarter of a century after passing the International Religious Freedom Act, global persecution continues while domestic battles around religious liberty have become increasingly partisan and high-profile.
Three anniversaries will force issues of religious persecution at the UN General Assembly
By Knox Thames — September 12, 2023
(RNS) — Whether world leaders grapple with interconnecting issues of religion and global affairs remains to be seen, but they cannot afford to ignore them.
Lebanon’s unique religious diversity is under threat
By Knox Thames — May 8, 2023
(RNS) — The influx of more than 1 million Syrian refugees, hyperinflation and government impotency have created existential challenges.
Abrahamic Family House ‘changes all the rules’ of interfaith understanding
By Knox Thames — February 17, 2023
(RNS) — The mosque, church and synagogue complex is a shining monument to tolerance.
State Department blacklists are only one tool to foster international religious freedom
By Knox Thames — December 6, 2022
(RNS) — The designations beg the question: Do they help?
The death of Mahsa Amini in Iran demands consequential diplomacy by US
By Knox Thames — September 23, 2022
(RNS) — Statements of condemnation are essential but not enough.
Global summit on religious persecution presents opportunity to fight abuse
By Knox Thames — June 14, 2022
(RNS) — The power of these summits is in bringing together all stakeholders around advancing religious freedom.
Putin is after more than land — he wants the religious soul of Ukraine
By Knox Thames — February 24, 2022
(RNS) — Make no mistake, Putin is seeking full capitulation from Ukraine — both physical and spiritual.
The UAE is restoring Christian life in the Persian Gulf
By Knox Thames — February 11, 2022
(RNS) — The tiny gulf nation is supporting religious and cultural restoration to spread tolerance in the Middle East.
The Senate needs to confirm Biden’s new international religious freedom ambassador now
By Knox Thames — November 18, 2021
(RNS) — The absence of a religious freedom ambassador left no strong advocate for this basic human right during recent debates at State.
The pope’s Iraq visit will make headlines. Can it make life better for religious minorities?
By Knox Thames — February 26, 2021
(RNS) — A sense of foreboding plagues efforts to return Christians and Yazidis to their homelands.
How much longer will the Middle East celebrate Christmas?
By Knox Thames — December 24, 2020
(RNS) — The birthplace of Christianity may soon be uninhabitable for its believers without reforms to help them survive.
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