Exactly...and when that Wall came crashing down a WHOLE lot of people in Eastern Europe were given the freedom again to adhere to and put that Word of God into practice BECAUSE of the West's efforts.
It's been shown before, in history, that "Christianity" thrives under persecution. So, when it's "free" (in the manner you're saying) it seems to get weak and flacid. So, that might not be such a good deal after all... :-)
I mean, I'm for religious freedom, as I would hate to have to exist in a repressive state in which anyone who is known to be a Christian would be persecuted and made to be a second-rate citizen or killed outright (as happens now in many places). And I also wouldn't want to made it a "prescription" for the success of Christianity -- to "persecute Christians" so Christianity can succeed much bettter (as it seems to do).
But, having said that ... freedom of religion hasn't done too much good for Christianity, except bring in a lot of non-Christian cult groups and more ways to deceive people and more evil practices in religious circles.
And to put it in yet another way... when Jesus, the Messiah of Israel takes control over the world, and install His one-world government -- there will be no freedom of religion allowed.
You will not have any of the cult groups, the witchcraft, the evil practices and so on. There will be only one faith and one belief and only one to choose from, or else you die -- and that's it.
So, freedom of religion is not all it's cracked up to be... :-)
I don't think you get how "freedom movements" as you put it and "the West" are integral to promoting the very Word you venerate...and how its enemies are opposed to the Word spreading. You really shouldn't lessen the importance of the people in politics God raises up to promote His freedom in the world and in so doing allows the Word to be taught freely.
As I was saying, Christianity has thrived very well under severe persecution and is refreshed that way. Under "freedom" it wanes and eventually dies in those cultures and evil takes over.... unfortunately... that's the way it's been over the centuries, from what I've read from Christian authors and from what we see in repressive countries right now.
Ugh. Another naysayer of the 1st amendment.
Sure, many will abuse their freedom and go the way of dissipation and false worship. Others will follow God, use their giftings and give to others. Freedom tests who has true faith and who does not. But one should never denigrate this precious, precious gift which is full of God's blessing and which St. Paul continually advocated in the Epistles.
To say that the Church in the Sudan (or even France under socialism) is "thriving" nowadays is quite naive :(