Even when a majority

Why do Christians complain about being discriminated when they are the majority in Europe? And why give so much importance to isolated cases. These and more questions are addressed in a chapter of the 2011 Report on the Cases of Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe. After having provided an overview of the episodes of intolerance and discrimination the Report explains with questions and answers the meaning and the motivations underlying the report.In the course of the centuries Christians in Europe have treated minorities in an intolerant manner when they were in power. They should not be so quick to complain now. “In history there have been and continue to be countless Christian voices speaking up for the rights of the vulnerable. We seek to protect human rights universally, whether they are held by people we agree with or not. Certain standpoints and decisions of Christians in history are today difficult to understand – but history cannot be judged by today’s standards alone. It would be highly incorrect to blame or punish today’s Christians or all of Christianity for the past”. Isn’t what you call intolerance or discrimination just a natural process of losing historical privileges? “Historical privileges – which do not per se discriminate against other religious communities – are not always irrational. As the name already suggests, historical privileges are, after all, historical. No community exists disassociated from its past or from its own historically evolved identity and traditions. Full neutrality is impossible. Even an empty white wall is a colored 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. Christians should neither be marginalized nor discriminated against for being heirs of a religious group that played in the past, and still plays, a relevant role. The withdrawal of reasonable privileges from Christianity (such as a more significant or visible presence in public life) constitutes an unnatural break with history and identity, and it is an expression of hostility”. How is it possible that Christians argue that they are being discriminated against since they hold a majority in Europe? “Some people conclude – from the premise that minorities deserve protection – that it is not possible to discriminate against a majority. (…) Every day Europe’s majority faith is being treated disrespectfully; its faithful are faced with hostility and cultural animosity; and its free exercise is confronted with unjust limitations”. Christianity is intolerant in itself especially with regards to women, homosexuals, atheists or non-believers. Society cannot tolerate intolerance against vulnerable groups. Christians should not feel discriminated against when society is working toward the protection of minorities. “The root of Christian teaching uniquely upholds and defends the dignity of each and every human person, including members of minority groups or people with non-Christian convictions. Freedom of religion comprises the right to teach and practice the faith, and to wit- ness and communicate it publicly – even if it contradicted individual aspects of what the majority thinks. Different core teachings of Christianity have caused contra- dictions in different periods of history. The state must create a free space in which a religion can act and govern according to its self-understanding. To discriminate as a form of education or retribution violates freedom of religion and human dignity, and is unacceptable”. Are you not making too much fuss about isolated cases? “The Observatory reports facts, not feelings. It is indispensable to connect the dots, namely to make sense of these facts. The cases the Observatory reports are merely symptoms. The problem is manifold and has several root causes. The problem becomes apparent, how- ever, when observed in the entirety of its aspects, and in the pattern that the cases have. The atheist and humanist lobbies, the LGBT lobby and the radical gender lobbies, for instance, are campaigning for laws which violate rights of Christians. They are creating a hostile atmosphere against Christians and the utterance of Christian positions in public. This has be- come a measurable and increasing social phenomenon”.