Christian doctors association lauds appointment of Sam Brownback as religious freedom ambassador

Imbody (r) with then-Sen. Brownback
at White House, Dec. 23, 2005

The 18,000-member Christian Medical Association (CMA, www.cmda.org) today hailed as a "signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression" the presidential appointment of Samuel Brownback of Kansas to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State. Mr. Brownback has been Governor of Kansas since 2011.

CMA Vice President for Government Relations Jonathan Imbody said, "Having worked for many years with Gov. Brownback when he served as a US Senator from 1996-2011, I saw up close his commitment to the unalienable right of every person to worship, serve and honor God according to conscience.

"As a person of deep faith who respects persons of all faiths and persuasions, Gov. Brownback brings to this role an empathy, understanding and passion that will advance religious freedom abroad and also serve as an example at home, where religious freedom faces new and significant challenges. This appointment is a tremendous encouragement for religious freedom advocates everywhere, and most importantly, serves as a signal of new hope for persons of faith enduring persecution and oppression."

The Pew Research Foundation has charted an increase globally in "government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion." The Foundation noted "increases in mob violence related to religion, individuals being assaulted or displaced due to their faith, and incidents where violence was used to enforce religious norms."

Through the Christian Medical Association, Mr. Imbody directs Freedom2Care, which focuses on freedoms of faith, conscience and speech in the US.

See also:

1. Testimony by Jonathan Imbody before Sen. Brownback's Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution.
2. Article by Jonathan Imbody, "A Flash of Life," on Sen. Brownback's efforts to highlight the value of early human life through testimony on in utero surgery.
3. Article by Jonathan Imbody, "Experts set the record straight on abortion pain," regarding Sen. Brownback's legislation related to fetal pain.
4. Commentary by Jonathan Imbody on Sen. Brownback's legislation to ban human cloning.
5. This news release: http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7552079897.html

Anti-Christian Libel, Shootings and the City of God

Normally one could simply ignore a group like Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) that labels religious freedom organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council "hate groups." But when slander triggers violence, and when journalists regurgitate the slander, it's time to mount a challenge. 
Twice now, SPLC labels have been tied to shootings by SPLC "hate group" list followers: at GOP lawmakers including Rep. Steve Scalise at the ballpark and at FRC headquarters, where hero

FRC's Hero: Leo Johnson

Leo Johnson took a bullet to save the lives of many of my friends and colleagues in the building. 

Rep. Steve Scalise after shooting linked to SPLC list

ADF's Kerri Kupec

So how refreshing and vital it is that ADF has such winsome representatives like friends Kerri Kupec, Casey Mattox, Alison Centofante and many more who challenge the libel and by their words, demeanor and character, put the lie to the SPLC label. 
Centuries ago, as Augustine's City of God addressed, angry Romans blamed Christians for the fall of that civilization which had lost its moral compass. That anti-Christian spirit has returned with renewed intensity, and once again people of faith have landed in the cross-hairs--sometimes literally--of a subsection of society that would pin its own sins on a scapegoat. 
Thankfully, we follow One who served as our scapegoat, taking our sins upon Himself and turning our dismal depravity into grace and glory. May Christ empower and equip us to trace His footsteps in a way that honors Him.