Kerry Emphasizes the Need to Understand the Role of Religion in Advancing U.S. Foreign Policy

John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, emphasized on Tuesday, April 25, the necessity of understanding the role of religion in the lives of billions of people around the world. He noted that while extremists commit crimes and genocide in the name of religion, for others, religion is a pathway to peace. According to the Associated Press, Kerry, speaking at the invitation of the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas, stated, 'Without understanding the central role of religion in the lives of billions of people, we cannot understand the world.' He added that the more we understand religion, the better we can interact with religious actors and groups, leading to a more effective foreign policy to advance the values and interests of people. The U.S. Secretary of State emphasized the fundamental impact of religion on both positive and negative developments in the world. Kerry stated, 'Religion can be part of what leads to war and, for others, a way to achieve peace.' He then referred to the actions of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the massacres of people in Syria and Iraq due to their religion. The U.S. Secretary of State mentioned that they killed Yazidis because they were Yazidis, Christians because they were Christians, and Shiites because they were Shiites. Kerry stressed, 'ISIS is responsible for the genocide of these groups in areas under its control.' He further noted the fundamental and effective role of religion in the actions, decisions, and choices of people around the world. According to the report, just a few months after he began his tenure as Secretary of State in 2013, Kerry established a special office for religious freedom at the State Department aimed at facilitating interaction and contact with thousands of religious leaders worldwide.