“Christ Our Hope” unity message warns of the dangers of secularism and radical Islam

The theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to the US was “Christ Our Hope”. It is a banner that all Christian denominations can stand under. From the moment of his arrival, the Pope’s message was clear. Benedict XVI was here not only to tend to, and help heal, his wounded Catholic American flock. The Pope also came to America as part of his mission to promote the unity of all people of faith.

Many will write this off as a platitude, incumbent on any Pope to espouse. But the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is renown as a scholar and theologian. His words and actions, since being elevated to the papacy, seem to convey a deeply felt anxiety for the future of Christianity, and perhaps all of western civilization. The Pope’s message of unity is more than a platitude from the pulpit. It is a warning, to all Christianity, that we must face the increasingly strong threats presented by secularism and radical Islam.

In saying “Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted”, Pope Benedict is warning against Christian complacency toward the culture of secularism being spread in the United States and Europe. Radical atheists and liberals, whole heartedly aided by the news and entertainment media, are promoting a “live for yourself and the moment” society, completely devoid of spirituality.

In the US, under the transparent guise of “defending the constitution”, atheists and secularists have succeed in having the Ten Commandments removed from the courthouse, nativity scenes outlawed in town squares and Christmas carols banned in the schools. The ultimate goal is the complete suppression of any public expression of God or religion in America. Increasingly aided by the US judiciary, and many public officials, progress toward this goal seems sure and steady.

In Europe, many of Christianity’s historic churches are sparsely attended. Muslim jihadists have the freedom of speech to riot and scream “death to Britain! death to Denmark! death to Bush and Blair!”. Radical Islamists are free to proclaim “death” to anyone they choose, in the streets of any European city. No such freedom of speech seems to exist for members of the European clergy, who have been indicted and tried for daring to speak out in their own churches against radical homosexuality.

But among Christians, the complacency the Pope warns us against prevails. There is little outrage or resistance from the Christian majority, on either continent. The Pope is pointing to the handwriting on the wall for the Christian way of life, and most Christians just can’t be bothered to read it.

Radical Islam, in a time of nuclear proliferation, is the gravest threat to western civilization in history. Well known jihadists, such as the president of Iran and leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah have clearly stated their aims:
the complete destruction of Israel
the overthrow of the governments of the US and Europe
the institution of Sharia law throughout the world
the conversion or death of all non Muslims

In September, 2006, Pope Benedict merely declared the obvious when he condemned jihadist (”holy” war) murder of the innocent as being contrary to the very nature of God. Islamist extremists around the world responded by rioting, attacking churches and, true to form, demanding the death of the Pope. Proving the Pope’s point, a Muslim gang murdered a Catholic nun “in protest”.

Yet the majority of Western leaders seem content to fiddle as the threat of a major jihad conflagration grows before our eyes. The West’s major proponent of peace is warning us against the dangers inherent in a lack of resolve in the face of proclaimed evil. But to the purpose and glee of our jihadist adversaries, the US and Europe continue to pursue the same type of hopeless appeasement that gave Hitler the time, and sense of invincibility, to initiate a global conflict leading to the death of 30,000,000 people and a communist take over of eastern Europe.

The Pope speaks from one of the most powerful and visible pulpits in the world. But he is still just one man. If the threats of secularism and radical Islam are to be overcome, it will require the political resolve of a united Christianity.

“Turning the other cheek” in the face of personal insult, is a Christian virtue. Turning a blind eye towards evil is shirking our responsibility to God and our fellow man. Unless we begin to speak as one Christian voice in America, secularism will prevail over religion. And unless true people of faith, throughout the world, demand their governments confront radical Islam, darkness will prevail over light.

The threats are great, and the struggle is likely to be long and difficult. Yet it should be obvious, without anyone having to point it out. In “Christ Our Hope”.