Faith-based Freedom Authenticated Through Responsibility
Robert A. Seiple
Education Conference ·
June 06, 2009
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
Robert A. Seiple told attendees, “If we don’t talk about religion and
politics and their intersection it is to our peril.”
General
sessions inspired by the conference’s theme, “Let Freedom Ring,” also
featured Douglas E. Brinley, retired BYU religion professor; W. Cole
Durham, Jr., BYU law professor and an expert in international religious
freedom law; Rodney K. Smith, president of Southern Virginia
University; and Wendell L. Irby, a senior program analyst at the Office
of the Secretary of Defense and a retired colonel in the United States
Air Force.
Ambassador Seiple’s talk, “Faith-based Freedom
Authenticated Through Responsibility,” focused on the need for
individuals to make a difference in the world and for neighbors to
respect the beliefs of others.
Seiple, an evangelical Christian,
spoke in terms that resonated with Latter-day Saints. “The true cost of
freedom is the sacrifice of Jesus,” he said.
He encouraged the
audience to “know enough about your neighbor’s faith to show it
respect.” It leads us to be less concerned about that which offends us,
he said. “When we learn to listen and to respect, our own faith becomes
that much more attractive.”
Seiple also talked about the
responsibility we all have to find ways to improve conditions for
people all around the world who suffer, especially children.
“We
have a social obligation beyond the plan of redemption,” he said.
Citing the parable of the Good Samaritan, Seiple encouraged members of
the audience to avoid stereotyping others, and asked, “How do we handle
today’s Jericho Road? What can we do to change conditions and provide
options [for those who need our help]?”
Seiple acknowledged that
despite all our individual efforts and those of organizations like
World Vision, which he used to head, there still will be starving
children somewhere. But he finds reasons to hope.
“Someone once asked Mother Teresa how she judged success,” he said.
“God hasn’t called me to be successful, God has only called me to be faithful,” she replied.
Seiple
said he has hope today for a better tomorrow because when he wakes up
“God is still sovereign [and] the [Savior’s] grave is still empty.”