IRD was founded 31 years ago because too many churches were silent about or actively abetting religious persecution around the world. Our frequent targets included groups like the Geneva-based World Council of Churches and the New York based United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.
A typical IRD moment was in 1985 when the United Methodist Council of Bishops unusually critiqued Nicaragua’s Marxist Sandinista regime for its “increasing intimidation” against the church. United Methodist missionaries, backed by the missions board, decried the bishops’ stance, insisting Nicaragua’s churches were “relatively unaffected.” That same year, the board’s directors rejected a resolution defending religious freedom in Nicaragua.
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