France Tackles Islamic Extremism . . . and Evangelicals
02/26/21
John Stonestreet David Carlson
In an attempt to prevent more deadly Islamic terrorist attacks, France’s National Assembly passed an anti-extremism bill, banning polygamy and forced marriages. It also requires school attendance beginning at age 3 with no religious homeschooling exemptions.
But there’ more. Sermons would also be subject to official review, and religious associations must sign a “contract of respect” for French values.
These provisions affect all religious bodies, not just Islamic ones.
It’s not hard to see why evangelicals there are concerned. In fact, France’s interior minister called evangelicals “a very important problem” because they “refuse to say that the law of the Republic is superior to the law of God.”
According to one French evangelical leader, France is wrong to equate Christians with Islamist extremists, and now is the time for prayer. “We pray a lot in France for the persecuted church,” he said. “Maybe it’s our turn to go through difficulties and to persevere.”
Topics
Apologetics
Christian Living
Christian Worldview
Culture/Institutions
International Affairs
Politics & Government
Religion & Society
Worldview
Resources:
France passes anti-radicalism bill
Rachel Lynn Aldrich | World | February 16, 2021
Hundreds of Churches Threatened by France’s Plan to End Muslim Separatism
Jayson Casper | Christianity Today | February 9, 2021
Have a Follow-up Question?
Up
Next
Related Content
© Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved.