10 significant international human rights events of 2021

Human dignity and the basic rights inherent to every individual are precious and should be protected. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, this is far from the case — and in egregious ways. While there were encouraging events at the end of this year in the United States, citizens of other countries were subjected to persecution, assault, and death. Below are 10 significant human rights events around the world that you should be aware of.

A Message From Our Friends at The Good Book Company

The Adventure of Christmas

These simple 10-minute family devotions for Advent, with graphic-novel-style illustrations, explore the Gospel accounts of the first Christmas in an engaging way, and will help families keep Christ at the heart of their celebrations. An accompanying Advent Calendar is also available.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, both chambers of Congress unanimously passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, sending it to President Biden for his signature. The ERLC has long advocated for this bill that prohibits goods made with Uyghur forced labor from entering the U.S. market. This legislation also instructs the U.S. government to impose sanctions against any foreign person who knowingly engages in the forced labor of Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

“At a time when Washington is synonymous with gridlock, it is no small thing for members of Congress to work together on a bipartisan basis to get this critical bill to the President’s desk. Its passage ensures America will take steps to counter China for its genocidal treatment of the Uyghurs. President Biden should sign it into law without delay.” — Acting President Brent Leatherwood

You can read more about this legislation and the ERLC’s advocacy efforts here.

Help us place 50 lifesaving ultrasound machines in pro-life pregnancy centers

Right now, you can help convince a vulnerable woman to choose life for her preborn baby. Studies show that the vast majority of women who see an ultrasound of their preborn child choose life. But ultrasound machines are expensive, and most pro-life clinics can’t afford them.

Requests for these lifesaving machines continue to pour in from around the country, and our team can’t keep up without your help. When you donate to the Psalm 139 Project, 100% of your donation goes to placing an ultrasound machine in a pro-life pregnancy resource center.

From The Public Square

This Week at the ERLC

• Brent Leatherwood talked to Baptist Press about the Uyghur forced labor bill, the Supreme Court's ruling on the Texas abortion law, and the Caring Well Challenge. He also talked to Christianity Today about Rashad Hussain's confirmation as America’s new ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
   
• Jason Thacker joined the Ministry at Scale podcast to talk about the importance of prioritizing ethics over engagement online.
   
• The ERLC placed two more lifesaving ultrasound machines in Tennessee. Thanks to the generosity of Southern Baptists and our pro-life partners, we are now halfway to our goal of placing 50 ultrasound machines by the 50th anniversary of the disastrous Roe v. Wade decision.

What You Need to Read

Jill Waggoner with An encouragement for caregivers this Christmas

As we enter the Christmas season, I think of all the men and women who find themselves caring for someone who in years past would have been shoulder to shoulder with them, or maybe even leading, through these weeks that are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” I think of those looking at the busy calendar, the Christmas menu, or the bank account, wondering how they will manage it all. I think of those with young children who are blissfully content with the presents under the tree and the older kids who are searching their parents’ eyes for comfort and peace. If that’s you, I want to share a word of encouragement from the scriptures. 

Mike McGarry with Suggestions for addressing LGBTQ issues in your youth ministry

The rules for engaging students in a modern age are essential: listen, clarify, and keep the gospel and a person’s identity as an image-bearer the main thing. This will help youth workers take a gracious posture that covers a multitude of missteps and will assure LGBTQ students that we are not their enemies. It’s also essential to remember their greatest need is the same as the greatest need of every student—to be reconciled with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth Oates with How the church can love those dealing with abuse, addiction, abandonment, divorce, and dysfunction

Instead of compartmentalizing our faith — consciously or unconsciously — to Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights — we must follow Jesus into the messiness of other people’s lives. We need to listen to the hurting, weep with the broken, hurt with the sick, and cry with the grieving. This is the church — seeing the messy and the broken and putting it back together. Not just when it’s convenient, but when it’s needed. 

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