Hating Christians is growing. More and more violence. Threats, assaults, vandalism..

In fresh years, there have been many instances of intolerance toward Christians. Germany, the United Kingdom, France – discrimination is increasing. The study prepared the Observatory for the Intolerance and Discrimination of Christians in Europe. Authors talk about attacks on believers and vandalism acts against places of worship. Not only tiny things, but besides beatings, death threats, killings...

In total, the study collected nearly 2,500 cases of anti-Christian hatred crimes in 35 European countries. It's only about 2023 and it's all about those cases that the police documented! Nearly 10 percent of the reported cases were attacked by persecution, threats, violence.

The details are written by Julia Book, analyst of the Ordo Iuris Institute.

Crimes Growing

The study is based on the publication of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which is an OSCE institution, and on the data collected by the Observatory. The ODIHR studies showed 1230 cases of hatred crimes against Christians, reported by 10 European governments in 2023, compared with 1029 reported in 2022. The ODIHR/OBWE study on hatred crime data was besides published on 15 November on the occasion of global Tolerance Day.

According to OIDAC Europe, a peculiarly worrying situation is in France, the UK and Germany. Nearly 1,000 cases of hatred of Christians occurred over the Seine in 2023. In the British Isles, the number of incidents increased to over 700. In Germany, however, there was an increase in the number of hatred acts from 135 in 2022 to 277 in 2023, an increase of 105%. Acts of force against Christians take on various forms, ranging from profanation of holy places to threats of death and physical attacks. Especially scandalous are cases of spiritual killings, specified as the death of a Catholic altar boy in Spain.

Law hitting Christians

The study besides shows that in the past year European governments have besides introduced a number of restrictions on spiritual freedom, from prohibitions of spiritual processions to persecution of Christians for peaceful expression of their beliefs. This shows that in addition to direct violence, Christians in Western Europe are increasingly experiencing discrimination in public life. They are afraid to express their spiritual views in fear of professional repression or social exclusion. This phenomenon is peculiarly visible in areas specified as education, employment and policy.

The OIDAC study besides highlights restrictions on freedom of conscience, especially in matters specified as abortion or euthanasia. In many lands, Christians are forced to choose between being faithful to their beliefs and losing their jobs or being able to execute certain public functions.

Situation in Poland

It is worth noting that besides in Poland the problem of hatred crimes against Christians is monitored. The Ordo Iuris Institute conducts systematic observations and analyses of specified cases, and the results of its investigation are transmitted annually to the OSCE. According to data for 2023, hatred crimes against Christians besides happen in our country. Detailed information on this subject can be found on the Bronmywiary.pl website. In addition, specified cases can be reported on this page.

What does the Observatory recommend?

The study besides includes recommendations for countries facing the problem of discrimination against Christians. These include improving communication with spiritual groups and civilian society organisations erstwhile drafting government that could affect Christian freedom of religion. The study besides recommends expanding the protection of freedom of religion, speech, assembly and opposition of the conscience of Christians and avoiding vague wording in government that could lead to criminalisation of the peaceful expression of spiritual views in public places. The recommendations besides include collecting detailed data to monitor intolerance and discrimination against Christians and to take appropriate soft measures in consequence to this phenomenon. The Observatory besides recommends improving the cognition of religion among public officials and state media, in order to guarantee fair representation of spiritual views in media communication and to increase awareness of rights to spiritual freedom whenever state policy affects the lives of Christians.

Some recommendations have besides been addressed to global institutions whose task is to defend human rights. They are asked to study on the intolerance and discrimination of Christians and to urge appropriate action to associate States, to analyse national reports and recommendations of the OSCE-ODIHR on combating hatred crimes and indirect discrimination against Christians, and to rise awareness of the intolerance and discrimination of Christians, as well as to encourage media and individuals and public institutions not to spread defamatory or misleading information on Christians.

The request for fast action

The analysis of the data presented leads to a worrying conclusion: in many countries, especially in Western European countries, we see the erosion of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion. The conclusions of these reports are worrying and indicate an expanding problem of discrimination and force against Christians in Europe. This situation requires urgent action at both national and global levels to guarantee the full protection of the rights and spiritual freedoms of all citizens. The causes of this phenomenon are multifaceted. On the 1 hand, there is an increase in radicalisation of any of the social groups that are hostile to Christianity. On the another hand, we see the process of secularizing Western societies, which leads to marginalisation of religion and weakening its impact on public life, including, above all, Christianity. In any cases, discrimination against Christians is besides linked to identity policy and an effort to impose fresh cultural standards that frequently conflict with Christian values. The consequences of this phenomenon are serious for both Christians and society as a whole. Discrimination leads to a sense of danger and uncertainty among believers, as well as to a regulation of their spiritual freedom. A number of measures are so needed to defend Christians from discrimination. First of all, countries should effectively enforce criminal law and supply adequate legal protection for victims of specified crimes. In addition, extended educational campaigns are needed to advance tolerance and common respect.

Source: OrdoIuris.pl

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