Religious Freedom in Europe? Only For Some...

Christians are being targeted in all fronts. When they are not being murdered by Islamists, they are either prevented from celebrating their festivities in Muslim countries or precluded from wearing Christian symbols at work in Western nations.

What is the fundamental problem behind this blatant persecution? Appeasement. The West has been carrying out an appeasement campaign for far too long: it starts with the Media and it ends with the political sphere. However, what is more appalling is that not even the Catholic Church seems impermeable to the Pacification Approach.

Let's present a few examples of how far things have gone:

A. Christians, in England, have lost their job because they refused to hide the cross they were wearing. Notwithstanding, Muslim individuals are allowed to wear Burka in the streets of London (and of other cities) if they so wish.

B. Christmas Trees are being replaced by artistic expressions for fear of offending Muslim communities.

C. Portugal, Spain and other European countries banned the crucifix in schools because "Displaying the Christian symbol (..) violated children's right to freedom of religion" (I would like politicians to explain me how. Although I wasn't Christian, I studied in schools that displayed the crucifix; I took Morals & Religion classes [that were basically a Christianity Class] and I never felt that my rights to freedom of religion were being violated because I knew who, what, I was and the knowledge contributed to my intellectual freedom).

D. In Europe, there is now what is called "No-go zones for non-Muslims" and street ads that are regarded as offensive to Muslims are vandalised.

The above examples are remarkable because the European cultural and religious identity, if not freedom, is slowly being eroded right before our eyes. This erosion, due to political indolence (most probably caused by corruption), is giving way to right wing fascist parties who are starting to re-conquer ground in Europe and creeping into the electorate's hearts.

How much more is the West willing to sacrifice in the name of money? It may look convenient to take Arab money to patch economic and financial holes; but we must not ignore that with that convenience comes a lot of political, academic and media pressure to avoid addressing the obvious problems and, in the long run, the consequence may be undesirable: the return of the far right to power (as a result of what some call "Occupation Without Tanks or Soldiers").

I have to recognise that PM David Cameron had fortitude when he recently spoke of himself as a Christian and stood up for Christians by saying that he wanted "to ensure that Christians were supported and that he would do all he could to remove any obstacles that prevented Christian churches and groups from flourishing" and "that the government would speak out against persecution of Christians". Other European politicians, especially from the centre and right wings, should follow suit in the name of European values and traditions - and avert a far tragedy.


Side Note: To our Jewish Brothers who are suffering persecution in Europe: a mass Aliyah is the answer to the community's problems. We have a home now.