Beijing winter Olympic games

Southern Baptist Panel Argues for Olympic Boycott

Haley Blauch on February 2, 2022

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the public policy office of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) hosted an online event Tuesday, discussing oppression and the Olympics.

Nury Turkel, Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the public to not engage in watching the Olympic Games amidst ongoing human rights violations committed by the Chinese government in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China against the Uyghur ethnic minority. Turkel noted that many people are unaware of the limits – and active oppression – that the ruling Chinese Communist Party places upon religious worship and practice.

Described as “their current hell,” Turkel charged that Uyghurs are disappearing or detained in modern day concentration camps for:

  • Praying within the walls of their own home.
  • Abstaining from purchasing or drinking alcohol, because it is tied to religious convictions.
  • Passing through checkpoints in public settings and at stores.

Rushan Abbas, Founder of the Campaign For Uyghurs, noted that many of her extended family members have lost contact and have gone missing in the region. Abbas also called out the CCP for continued human rights violations and shared her frustrations on the allowance by the IOC for China to remain as a host for the Olympic Games set to begin February 4.

The IOC was sharply critiqued by panelists for “condoning genocide by refusing to relocate or delay” the 2022 Winter Games. Turkel noted that this is not the first time in history where the IOC condoned poor human rights behavior, citing the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympic Games. Turkel stated that as the IOC previously allowed a repressive government to host the games, it is no shock that they allow it once again.

Since the IOC is deferential to Chinese authorities, other countries, including the U.S., are responding to the genocide with diplomatic boycotts, in which public officials and cultural representatives do not accompany athletes to the games.

Countries across the world have participated in Olympic boycotts since the Nazi-hosted Olympic Games in 1936, including the athlete boycott of the Moscow Summer Games in 1980 following Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Since 1992, NBC Universal has controlled broadcasting rights for both Summer and Winter Olympic games. In 2014, NBC settled with the IOC for $7.75 billion for exclusive rights in broadcasting the Olympic games from the years 2022 to 2032. NBC has a critical role to play in America’s perception of the culture and community surrounding the games in China.

Will NBC become a propaganda arm for the CCP? The American Foreign Policy Council’s Michael Sobolik said during the panel discussion that if NBC uses their coverage to push the message of unification and love for the country in China, they have fallen to the CCP. Sobolik urged NBC to tell the true story of the events surrounding the Olympics.

In addition to NBC Universal portraying the truth, Sobolik challenged the Biden Administration to do more than the “bare minimum” that he alleged they have done thus far. The White House announced on December 6 that the Administration would conduct a diplomatic boycott of the games, meaning no representation from the U.S. Government would be in attendance. Sobolik criticized the Administration for not commenting beyond when directly questioned by journalists. Instead, he insisted that U.S. officials must raise the issue consistently.  

“It is one thing to take symbolic action, it is another thing to change the cost benefit of foreign governments to encourage them to change their behavior,” Sobolik proposed. “They need to move beyond performative actions to actually change the way Chinese adversaries are thinking.” 

The only way to change the cost benefit with China’s global interactions, specifically with the U.S., is for corporations to stop relying upon Chinese goods/products manufactured by those interred in modern day concentration camps. The Administration and Congress need to advance legislation similar to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to contest China’s growing influence in U.S. elections and stand against human rights violations.  

Panelists suggested that concerned Christians can advocate in favor of religious freedom worldwide by participating in a boycott of the winter games.

Among panelists’ suggestions were to: 

  • Refrain from viewing the Olympic games broadcast by NBC Universal. Viewership boosts advertising revenue and finances businesses that disregard human rights.
  • Decline to purchase souvenirs and memorabilia from the Olympic games, it possibly is the product of forced labor by Uyghurs detained in an effective slave camp. 
  • Pray for world leaders to have courage to put an end to the Uyghur Genocide and to rethink economic exchange with the CCP for their continued disregard for human rights. 

Boycott of the Winter Olympic games will be beneficial to advancing human rights but cannot be the stopping point. Contact your U.S. Representatives and Senators, encourage them to enact legislation that limits Chinese government power. Check into non-profit organizations working privately to help rescue detained Uyghurs and to challenge CCP repression.

  1. Comment by Mya Veen on February 2, 2022 at 12:10 pm

    Great article! Big fan of this author!

  2. Comment by Dan W on February 3, 2022 at 7:58 am

    Jesse Owens did not boycott the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. He challenged the Nazis shoulder to shoulder on the field.

    Prayer-cott not boycott. Pray for the Uyghurs.

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