Kevin Freeman | Lariat Photographer
By Bresha Pierce
Reporter
Former U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf joined President and Chancellor Ken Starr in a conversation about the Islamic State and religious freedom Wednesday night, as part of the “On Topic with President Ken Starr” series.
Starr and Wolf began the conversation on the topic of the Islamic State and how it is affecting the Middle East and other countries. Wolf talked about his trip to Turkey and some of the things he experienced.
“Many of these people would go village to village, forced out of their homes and either killed, threatened to convert or taxed,” Wolf said. “Young girls are being kidnapped and it’s our government that has not been motivated to help.”
Starr then asked Wolf what America could do to help the situation.
“Continue to pray, encourage war crime investigation by the UN, give aid and in doing so set up a protector for the people,” Wolf said “We need to fight and if we fail to provide leadership then we lose the war.”
Wolf continued to talk about how America is already being impacted by the Islamic State because of its sophisticated technology.
“We need to inform ourselves to be in prayer and inform the government because they will listen,” Starr said.
International religious liberty was another topic discussed between Starr and Wolf, including the and what International Religious Freedom Act passed to promote religious freedom as a foreign policy of the United States, of which Wolf authored.
Wolf shared his relationship with Tony Hall who served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Tony and I joined a group prayer breakfast for republicans and democrats. We began to love each other,” Wolf said. “If you pray with someone the relationship becomes amazing.”
The act also created a new position for ambassadorship internationally.
“President Reagan’s words about the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were covenant with the entire world,” Wolf Said. “We have an obligation as a country. America should push for religious freedom and lead.”
Wolf was left with one last question: What we can do day to day to keep religious freedom?
“Like Jesus says, Love one another. We will all have our differences but it’s all about Jesus’s message to be bold and love,” Wolf said.
Wolf represented Virginia’s 10th district in Congress for 17 terms and was named the Jerry and Susie Wilson Chair in Religious Freedom at Baylor University on Jan. 19 after announcing his retirement on Jan. 3. Wolf also founded and served as co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
As the Wilson chair, Wolf will lead Baylor’s efforts on Capitol Hill and around the world to address issues regarding to freedom of conscience and worship.
