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Report Focuses on Discrimination Against Christians In Europe

By Howard M. Friedman

Last week, coinciding with an OSCE meeting in Vienna on Freedom of Religion, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe released a 39-page report (full text) covering a five year period and focusing on "instances in which Christians and Christianity are marginalized or discriminated against throughout Europe." Here is an excerpt from the Introduction to the report:

[E]ven if there are disputes amongst Christians, what we face all together are radical secularism and political correctness gone overboard, both of which limit fundamental freedoms.

Another common objection states, that what Christians encounter today is not intolerance or discrimination, but a process of losing historical privileges. Historical privileges, far from discriminating against other religious communities, are not necessarily bad, considering that they are, after all, historical and that no community exists void of a past with its own historically evolved identity and traditions. Full neutrality is impossible since even an empty white wall is a statement, especially if it is a consequence of the removal of the crucifix. One religious community holding privileges for historical reasons does not mean that others are being discriminated against ? as long as their enshrined rights are protected.

To some extent the withdrawal of privileges from Christianity constitutes an unnatural break with history and identity and is an expression of hostility. This hostility does not stop at the removal of privileges. It causes marginalization and social exclusion, and it leads to the denial of rights of Christians. Equal rights for Christians are at stake.

The report concluded with a series of recommendations to European governments, the EU and international organizations. CNA yesterday summarized the report and reactions to it.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on December 14, 2010 (boomark / email).