In a rather surreal and (until recently) highly unlikely move, Baroness Warsi, a British Muslim member of the House of Lords, has become one of the most vocal defenders of Christianity in Europe.
Her remarks, made in numerous separate public appearances and speeches of late, build on a recent reversal in European politics (in which various heads of state from Angela Merkel to Nicolas Sarkozy have criticized the nonjudgmental, melting pot model of culture long accepted without question). Warsi is also compounding statements like David Cameron’s recent, public endorsements of Christianity, a position which was considered thoroughly uncouth less than a decade ago when an aide to Tony Blair famously declared that his administration “didn’t do God.”
Yet Warsi’s remarks amount to more than a generic, boilerplate defense of the “value” of religion to national identity, and come much closer to American-style “culture war” rhetoric than the usually staid British political culture is accustomed to. Indeed, as some commentators have pointed out, she seems to be wagering that the time is right for some sort of inter-religious coalition to emerge as a counter-force to European secularism. Invoking a theme often heard in Catholic circles, Warsi sounds the alarm about the rise of a new sort of “dictatorship”:
She also compared the intolerance of religion with totalitarian regimes, which she said were “denying people the right to a religious identity because they were frightened of the concept of multiple identities”
What was left unmentioned, but may well be a subject of discussion for Warsi as she visits Pope Benedict XVI and heads the largest-ever British delegation to the Vatican this week, is the possibility that Europe’s Muslims, who have, until now, been treated with disdain both by right-wing political parties and the broader culture, might come together with serious Christian believers to stand up faith in the public square. Given these recent statements and reversals, is a European Catholic-Muslim alliance against relativism, secularism, and encroaching threats to religious freedom as implausible as it once appeared?
February 15th, 2012 | 11:19 am
The alliance of traditional Catholics, Jews and Muslims on issues of morality, social goods and charity was the subject of a pre-9/11 book by Peter Kreeft (rather unfortunately called “Ecumenical Jihad”).
I would think that such an alliance is rather unlikely with the current uncertainty and suspicion surrounding Islamic immigrants. But just imagine the confusion of the multi-culturalists who seem to reflexively criticize traditional Christians and just as reflexively defend Muslims. How would they react to an alliance? Would the Christians be insulated by the Muslims from attack, or would (more likely) the Christians taint the Muslims and make them fit for criticism?
February 15th, 2012 | 11:26 am
I think the Muslim record on religious freedom is much worse than that of any Western secular government. Granted there are thoroughly Westernized Muslims like Baroness Warsi, but there are plenty more, living in Europe, who are not, and who, I don’t think, have any particular sympathy for Christians. But I could be wrong.
February 15th, 2012 | 12:40 pm
Any type of Muslim-Christian alliance would be a disaster for Christians. It would only expedite the decline of Christianity in Europe and North America. This is the last thing we need…..
February 15th, 2012 | 5:53 pm
I doubt very much that the decline of Christianity in Europe can be linked to the influence of immigrant Muslims, unless there was evidence that Europeans were converting en masse to Islam. Clearly that is not the case.
In my guess, atheistic fascism, communism and most recently, secular humanism, are more likely the culprits for the decline of Christianity in Europe. That isn’t to say that Islamic states, such as Saudi Arabia, can tout any claim to religious tolerance of other belief systems such as Hinduism or even atheism which also happens to be a belief system worthy of being tolerated. On the contrary, states that have established religions tend to oppress religious minorities as was once the case in Britain.
Still, what is laudably being championed here, by one British parliamentarian, is not the establishment of a state religion, but the preservation of religious freedom for Christian and Muslim, Hindu and atheist, alike, in a pluralistic society. I therefore applaud Baroness Warsi, a Muslim herself, for championing Christianity in Europe. God bless Baroness Warsi!
February 15th, 2012 | 6:42 pm
I found Baroness Warsi’s remarks condescending and mostly empty considering her own government’s idea of “doing” God is not different from the government which proceeded hers. It would be nice if the Baroness stopped supplying us words bereft of actions.
February 16th, 2012 | 3:37 am
In Europe, many Muslims, and especially Muslim women, are manifesting their confidence in the Republic and proclaiming their adherence to its values.
The president of the Muslim women’s movement Ni Putes Ni Soumises [Neither Sluts nor Door-mats] Sihen Habchi, in a forceful attack on “multiculturalism” has demanded “No more justifications of our oppression in the name of the right to be different and of respect toward those who force us to bow our heads”
Rachida Dati, herself a Muslim and former French Minister of Justice told the National Assembly that “The Republic is alone capable of uniting men and women of different origins, colours and religions around the principles of tolerance, liberty, solidarity and laïcité making the Republic truly one and indivisible”
Likewise, Fadela Amara, another Muslim and Secretary of State for Urban Policies has declared that “For this generation, the crucial issues are laïcité, gender equality and gender desegregation, based upon living together in harmony throughout the world, and not only in France”
February 16th, 2012 | 1:35 pm
Baroness Warsi is a very likeable woman…but I would distance myself from any Muslim-Catholic coalition. Muslims are in Europe to Islamise it. They frequently tell me so online. Muslims have always wanted Europe and now they are well on the way towards that goal.
A Muslim-Catholic coalition against secularism is another foot in the door for Islam. I will be saying no. I prefer a Catholic State someday, for the safety and survival of Catholics and Catholic culture.
February 24th, 2012 | 8:31 am
[...] February 24, 2012, 8:30 AM Matthew Cantirino Speaking of prominent British non-Christians defending Christianity (and the role of religion in society more broadly), the UK’s chief rabbi, Lord Sacks, recently [...]
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