While peace seems to reign, many countries are threatened by what we might call slow motion wars. These conflicts involve the gradual destruction of society, structures and security within a climate of uneasy peace. The destruction of war occurs not all at once, but over time. An example of a slow motion war is the ongoing jihad in France.
Indeed, there is no formal declaration of war and even the appearance of normality in many city streets. However, violent Islamic sectors in France commit daily violence that resembles a war situation. Society suffers as if war, or in this case jihad, has been formally declared.
The Gatestone Institute reports that a jihad against churches is underway in France today. The evidence is overwhelming. All over France there are destroyed, burned and damaged churches to be found. Priests and believers are threatened by aggression. A map published by Christianophobia.fr is covered with red pins marking points of violence that spare no region or city.
According to the report, an average of two attacks on churches per day is the norm in France. Many of these buildings are ancient and historic monuments. The perpetrators are not brought to justice in most cases. In many scenes, anti-Jesus and pro-Mohammed graffiti on nearby walls leave no doubt about the influence of Islam. There are also shouts of "Allah Akbar" near the sites.
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According to journalist Sonja Dahlmans most targets are Catholic churches. She notes that "Crucifixes, organs, altars and other religious symbols are regularly vandalized or stolen. Statues of saints are also victims. At a church in Angers, seven statues were beheaded or amputated in April this year. ... Stained-glass windows of old churches are also regularly vandalized."
These vandals also target cemeteries, especially the crosses on top of headstones that are often vandalized or stolen. The map of incidents also includes interruptions of services by gangs and youths. Several priests have been seriously assaulted.
Most of these incidents go unreported or barely noticed, as if they are part of the everyday way of life in postmodern France. Tragically, France, known as the firstborn daughter of the Church for its zeal for the faith, no longer responds to these insults and sacrilege.
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France is at war - a war in slow motion - that is gradually destroying what is left of the once Christian nation. What makes it worse is that it is a one-sided war in which the Christian side is hampered by those who refuse to acknowledge the destruction or place the blame on the perpetrators.
Church officials who manage the damaged buildings call for dialogue. Other war deniers, such as church officials, call for understanding and engagement with the enemy. They blame the victims for the violence because of their systematic colonialism or racism.
These incidents are not limited to France. They also occur with great regularity in Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden, where many Muslims live. The West generally treats these attacks with astonishing indifference and even woke indignation. Postmodern narratives about the oppressed Muslim population in Europe almost seem to justify the anger of those who target the church. Progressive church officials can always be counted on to minimize the damage to their own buildings and reach out to these "marginalized" people.
However, the result of these attacks resembles that of a war. It is a war in slow motion that destroys centuries of French heritage and history day after day. It is no less real than if a Muslim power declared war, invaded the country and destroyed churches and all signs of Christianity. It is a religious war against Christianity and Christians will lose this war if they do not wake up.
The greatest enemy is not the terrorist destroyers, but those who facilitate destruction by taking a suicidal course and aid the enemy through their false narratives that deprive Christians of a means of self-defense.
This article previously appeared on tfp.org and was written by John Horvat II. The Dutch version first appeared on the website Culture under Fire of the Stichting Civitas Christiana. We have reproduced this translation with permission, for which we thank you!