Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org

SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 13, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- It's important for Americans to know where their U.S. senators and representatives stand on religious freedom for countries around the world where people are often persecuted and even killed because of their beliefs.

Many of those marginalized are Christian -- over an estimated 100 million -- according to Open Doors, an international non-profit organization which has been standing beside the persecuted for over 56 years.

In an effort to educate voters on where national elected officials stand on this issue, last fall Open Doors USA launched a campaign with the release of the Congressional Scorecard for International Religious Freedom (IRF). People could find out to what degree their legislators have supported IRF, not only for Christians but other faiths as well.

Open Doors USA compiled a selection of the most important IRF resolutions and letters from the last (111th) session of Congress. Each legislator was graded on his or her level of support for these initiatives which were written to help promote religious freedom around the world.

"Open Doors' Congressional Scorecard was a great resource for constituents to see exactly what their elected officials are doing to promote international religious freedom for all faiths," says Lindsay Vessey, Advocacy Director for Open Doors USA. "Often legislators agree with the promotion of international religious freedom in principle, but are not always particularly active. Our scorecard provided people with the tools they need to approach their legislators, thank them for the work they are doing and to encourage them to greater involvement in the future."

Among the final Congressional Scorecard findings were:

• Top Senate supporters of religious freedom issues were Sam Brownback, who is now governor of Kansas, with a score of 100+ followed by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) tied for second with 77 percent.
   
• Top House backers were Frank Wolf (R-VA) with 100+ percent and Chris Smith (R-NJ) with 100 percent.
   
• Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) improved his score the most between the release of the preliminary scorecard and publication of the final one in December, going from 35 percent to 65 percent.
   
• Rep.  Mike Pence (R-IN) had the second greatest score improvement, going from 55 percent to 75 percent.
   
• Many more House Republicans are active in promoting religious freedom than Democrats. Sixteen of the top 20 scorers in the House were Republicans.
   
• IRF is more of a bi-partisan issue in the Senate, but had an overall lower level of support, with fewer Senators being  active in promotion of IRF. Three of the top five scorers in the Senate were Republicans and two Democrats, demonstrating a more even bi-partisan balance.

Did the Open Doors Congressional Scorecard make an impact on promoting religious freedom?

According to Vessey, the answer is a resounding "yes."

"Absolutely," says Vessey. "By holding members of Congress accountable for their records and involving Open Doors USA supporters, we were able to add an incredible 30 new co-sponsors to resolutions and a letter condemning religious freedom abuses in Morocco to King Mohammed VI. Also, House Resolution 20 on Vietnam was passed through the House of Representatives by a voice vote after the publication of our preliminary scorecard. This is a tremendous help for those suffering for their faith across the globe and will give us momentum to further advocate on their behalf in the new Congress."

Vessey adds that in the future, Open Doors will be publishing a mid-term report on each session of Congress followed by a final scorecard of Congress. Supporters will be encouraged to use this tool to press their U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to be more active in the promotion of International Religious Freedom.

Their final scorecard grades can be viewed at www.opendoorsusa.org/scorecard.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(To set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.)