Sen. Cruz: 'We Must Stand With the Oppressed and the Persecuted'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today addressed the ‘The Bridge: The Annual Conference on the Persecuted Church' Policy Day, hosted by International Christian Concern (ICC). There he discussed his efforts to highlight the human rights violations in North Korea and provide hope and assistance for persecuted Christians throughout the world.

"Thank you for shining a light on religious persecution, and for speaking out the truth," Sen. Cruz said. "We see religious persecution on the rise across the globe. Whether from ISIS and radical Islamic terrorists in the Middle East or tragically, this week in the United Kingdom, or in North Korea, where religious liberty is constantly under attack. There is estimated to be roughly 25 million people in North Korea, and recent reports estimated between 200,000 and 400,000 of them are Christians. Under the rules of the regime, being a Christian is a crime. And like all Marxists, the Kim regime views God as a direct conflict with the loyalty that is demanded of the people to the regime. You cannot be completely subservient to the state if there is indeed an almighty and all-loving God who created us in His image. And that is why so many totalitarian regimes have sought out believers to persecute, because of the threat, the existential threat that a higher power poses to an evil dictator. We must stand with the oppressed and the persecuted. It is worth remembering that light is stronger than darkness and truth is stronger than lies. The prayers of the men and women here are heard behind jail cells throughout the world."

Still photos of Sen. Cruz's address may be viewed here. Video of Sen. Cruz's address may be viewed here.