"The Pilgrim escape to New England emblematizes the centuries-long quest for liberty to worship God without coercion, a liberty that hundreds of millions from different faiths in our world do not have." -- Mark Tooley, IRD President

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion & Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Americans like to complain, and are in a particular funk in recent times. But IRD President Mark Tooley reminds us all that this Thanksgiving there is much reason for gratitude, and as always even more reason for prayer on behalf of many globally who lack religious liberty.

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

"All Americans and Christians especially should robustly celebrate Thanksgiving in gratitude to God for His ceaseless blessings, our continued material abundance, the relative (but never entire) peace that our nation now enjoys, and above all religious freedom in our nation, which remains under siege throughout the world, and is challenged at times even in our own country.

"More than any other group globally, Christians are under threat and restriction by many tyrannical regimes and violent ideologies. Our prayers this Thanksgiving must remember them.

"The Pilgrim escape to New England emblematizes the centuries-long quest for liberty to worship God without coercion, a liberty that hundreds of millions from different faiths in our world do not have.

"The feast celebrated by Pilgrims and Indians also models a transcultural and transracial harmony possible by divine grace and good will. May we always honor their persevering faith and continue today the quest for liberty under God for all people."

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