European Evangelicals & Churches Speak Out amid Cartoon Protests

|PIC1|The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA), representing 10 million European evangelicals from 33 countries, has spoken out as protests continue across the world by angry Muslims, upset by cartoons of their Prophet Muhammad released by a Danish newspaper last week.

The EEA spoke out firmly and condemned all violence that has been associated with the controversy and all incitement to violence.

The group stated that it understood the deep upset among its “Muslim friends” and co-citizens about “something that they perceive to be deeply insulting to their faith.”

The statement added, “At the same time, as Europeans, we also understand that our largely secularised societies find this upset incomprehensible. The satirising or criticism of faith is common in European media. Other faith communities (particularly Christians), while often being upset, have got used to these comments.”

Although the EEA did give its full-backing to the principle of freedom of speech and an independent media, it also commented, “At the same time, while we believe people should be free to express what they wish, we long for a society in which people think hard before expressing ideas that are bound to cause deep offence.”

Sympathy was offered to the nation of Denmark for the violent acts carried out against it since the protests began at the end of last week for what was published in a private newspaper. The Alliance said, “The nation of Denmark, which also has a strong tradition of contributing very positively to the wider world, does not deserve the anger expressed towards it, because of the publications of a private newspaper.”

In conclusion, the EEA called for reflection from all parties concerned, and for a foundation for sensitive dialogue to be laid down. The statement ended saying, “We stand ready to help any such conversation between affected parties, and, in a spirit of mutual respect and willingness, to find peaceful ways forward for the welfare of all of Europe's citizens.”

The General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches has also issued a statement this week in response to the chaos. Venerable Colin Williams reiterated the CEC’s position on cultural and religious diversity within Europe as laid down in the Charta Oecumenica, which states that "We consider the diversity of our regional, national, cultural and religious traditions to be enriching for Europe...The churches are called upon to serve together the cause of reconciliation among peoples and cultures.”

|TOP|The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

The Charta also includes a section on relations with Islam which states that the CEC “would like to intensify encounters between Christians and Muslims and enhance Christian-Islamic dialogue at all levels.”

The Charta adds: “We commit ourselves to conduct ourselves towards Muslims with respect.”

Ven. Williams also came out in support of the statement released by the Committee for Church and Religious Encounter of the Church of Denmark which addressed the need to find a proper balance between freedom of speech and the need to respect others.

|AD|He said: “We agree wholeheartedly with the Committee’s statement that ‘to provoke and offend the individual’s faith for the sake of provocation in itself serves no purpose’.”

The statement by the general secretary of the CEC continued: “As a conference of churches we believe that in relation to other faith communities who share this continent with us we need to show humility and openness, ready to listen to their insights whilst ready at the same time to be open and honest about points at which we differ.

“We seek to speak openly about the need to stand against images of confrontation within civil society and to work for that reconciliation of which the Charta Oecumenica speaks.”

The CEC regularly engages in dialogue with representatives of the Islamic community in Europe together with Roman Catholics within the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) as part of a continuing process to achieve reconciliation and greater mutual understanding.

“We do not act alone in this and know that throughout Europe individual churches are also involved in promoting dialogue with our sister and brother Europeans who hold the Islamic faith,” said the CEC.