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How Governments Use Religion to Control—and Who Suffers Most

How Governments Use Religion to Control—and Who Suffers Most

Last updated on: February 11, 2025 at 4:00 pm by Lisa Gable

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How Governments Use Religion to Control—and Who Suffers Most 2025-02-11T16:00:24-05:00 Lisa Gable

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Mykolaiv Kuleba discusses one of Russia’s gravest war crimes–the deportation of children. Image courtesy of Save Ukraine.

Governments Use Religion for Control And Media Fails

Many governments use religion to strengthen their power.

The Russian government links Orthodox Christianity to national pride, reinforcing authority and discouraging dissent. Only government-approved religious groups in China are allowed, and those who worship outside these rules face harsh restrictions. Yet, major news outlets rarely focus on how faith is used this way.

We must ask ourselves. Are some stories ignored because they don’t fit our views? Have we become so set in our opinions that we overlook people suffering because of their beliefs?

Early in my career, a boss told me, “Speak with facts.” Simple truths are more important than ever. If news stories focus on the basic facts—who, what, when, where, and how- we can highlight the struggles of religious groups while also explaining the bigger picture.

The Plight of Ukrainian Children

A Ukrainan Girl signs with a heart as she flees Russian agression.

This Ukrainian girl sends a heart symbol sign through a train window as she flees Russian aggression on Feb. 27, 2022. Many children were able to flee Ukraine before being taken by Russian troops for “patriotic education.” More than 19,500 children were taken from their homes in Ukraine and sent to special re-education camps in Russia. Mirek Pruchnicki from Przemyśl, Sanok, Polska, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Take Ukraine, for example. I recently hosted a discussion on more than 19,500 children taken from their homes and moved to Russia after the 2022 invasion. These children have been placed with Russian families, adopted out, sent to special re-education camps, and even forced to fight against their own country.

Many come from evangelical church families targeted by the Russians.

The Russian government calls this process “patriotic education.” It is like what China calls “patriotic re-education.” In both cases, children are taught to forget their past, follow government-approved beliefs, and adopt a new national identity. Many Ukrainian children are placed in camps where they are taught a new version of history, made to learn a different language, and even trained for military service. Some have been forced into combat and told that their families no longer care about them. This is not just relocation but an effort to change who they are.

Protestant families in Ukraine face disproportionate persecution, as Russia’s Orthodox Church, aligned with the Kremlin, views them as Western agents—leading to imprisonment, torture, and even death.

A small but determined group, Save Ukraine, led by Mykola Kuleba, has helped bring home 600 of the 700 children rescued. Their work proves that even a small group can make a real impact. “We have the chance to be part of an underground effort to save these children.”

Among those attending the discussion were Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, the Displaced International (DI) Founder & President, an organization aimed at building resources, advocacy, and support to help displaced people rebuild their lives. His comments made clear that countries worldwide must do more to bring these children home.

Ambassador Haidari praised Kuleba for his tireless work, calling the situation “not just a human tragedy, but a question of basic rights and safety.”

He reinforced that leaders of free nations that support religious tolerance and democracy cannot ignore this crisis.

Kuleba urged governments and organizations to push harder for legal action, diplomatic efforts, and humanitarian aid to return these children to their families. His message was clear: this is not just Ukraine’s problem. It is about standing up for children who have been taken from their homes and their families.

The Role of Media in Highlighting Persecution

The media plays an important role. News coverage must highlight those affected by persecution, show people how to help and expose attempts to use religion for control. Differences in opinion are the norm, but facts must remain the focus.

No one should dismiss real suffering for the sake of political convenience. Acknowledge policy disagreements while emphasizing that suffering and abuse transcend political divides.

Good reporting can shape how people respond to crises like this. Journalists can educate the public by choosing accuracy, fairness, and compassion without creating more division. The goal is not just to grab attention—it is to tell the whole story and make a difference for those who need it most.

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About Lisa Gable

Lisa Gable is a CEO, former US Ambassador, UN Delegate, and author of Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller “Turnaround – How to Change Course When Things Are Going South.” Lisa is recognized worldwide as a turnaround mastermind and innovative businesswoman and started her career in the Reagan administration. You can read more about the author here.

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