An Unlikely Messenger: Sarkozy and European Secularism

Breakpoint with Chuck Colson ^ | 2/28/2008 | Chuck Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

Monsieur Sarkozy has more backbone than far too many Christians who are supposedly much more serious about their faith than he is.

There are links to further information at the source document.

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[Mr. Silverback]

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[wideawake]

In France this is a particularly sensitive issue, since the French state was founded on a specific and total repudiation of Christian belief.

[Paved Paradise]

Amen, Silverback. I was thrilled when Sarkozy won the election. France really needs a man like him and he likes the U.S. I’m also feeling pretty good about S. Korea’s new president as well.

I keep hearing how everybody hates us but it’s not true.

This was an excellent post. And I, too, hope his religious practice will become less episodic. We need to pray for him, eh?

[Paved Paradise]

Yeah, and when they are completely overrun by the Muzzies, maybe the’ll look back on Sarkozy’s comments and wish they had paid more attention.

I will hold out hope for them, being the eternal optimist that I am.

[maryz]

And I, too, hope his religious practice will become less episodic.

At least he doesn't shift his ideals to fit his practice, which is the modern way! ;-)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Do you think this guy will be the “Maggie Thatcher” of France? Is there even a breath of a chance for this? (Just askin’. I haven’t really followed his career...)

[RoadTest]

“In France this is a particularly sensitive issue, since the French state was founded on a specific and total repudiation of Christian belief.”

Yes! In my belated study of history, I have learned that the French revolution was humanistic, secular; the American Revolution was steeped in Judeo-Christianity.

[eleni121]

Not enough backbone: he went along with the secularist marxist dhimmis on kosovo.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I wish that Sarkozy’s “religious practice” was less “episodic.”

Reading through this laundry list of his words and actions, it sounds to me like his religious practice is plenty steady. "Religious practice" and sitting through weekly services aren't even remotely the same thing, and right now France is much more in need of the former.

[Mr. Silverback]

Yes, we definiteely need to pray for him.

[Mr. Silverback]

I’m not an expert on him, but I’d say it’s possible.

[Always Right]

[Mr. Silverback]

Are you talking about recognition?

I’ve got to tell you, I don’t care how many Muslims there are in Kosovo, the Serbs have been acting like nutcases for years, and their government stpped aside and let a bunch of glorified soccer hooligans bust up our embassy.

[Mr. Silverback]

And your point? Nobody’s campaigning to make him the patron saint of chastity.

[Always Right]

And your point? Nobody’s campaigning to make him the patron saint of chastity.

Patron saint of Chastity? I was more thinking making him king.

[bboop]

Yes, the French state, in 1789, after beheading many zillions, was founded on a repudiation of Christian belief. However, for 1100 years before that, France was Christian and Catholic, the Kings crowned in cathedrals and etc. This earlier era is much longer than the time since 1789; he is harkening back to their foundational traditions.

Good for him.

[7mmMag@LeftCoast]

” Without Christianity, Europe would not exist. European secularism and the denial of its Christian roots have cut it off from its own heritage, leaving it vulnerable to the challenge of Islam.

hmmmmm,

"Without Christianity, America would not exist. American secularism and the denial of America's Christian roots have cut America off from America's own heritage, leaving America vulnerable to the challenge of Islam"

There, that looks to be about right.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Reading through this laundry list of his words and actions, it sounds to me like his religious practice is plenty steady [without] sitting through weekly services..."

There is an internal contradiction here, GS, since Sarko calls himself a "Catholic," and the Catholic Church holds the Liturgy (Mass) to be "the source and summit of Christian life."

Now, if Sarko (whom, by the way, I like very well) wanted to call himself a non-denominational Cristian, or even, in the manner of Karl Rahner, an "anonymous Christian," that would be another matter entirely.

But as long as he says he is "of Catholic heritage, Catholic culture, and Catholic belief," he needs to get his ever-lovin self to Mass and prepare himself carefully for the experience of Communion with God and God's people ---lest he lose his "source" and "summit" and find himself empty instead of filled.

Tous sont bienvenus. You too.

[the invisib1e hand]

Sarkozy disagrees. In a book he wrote before becoming president, Sarkozy declared, “I am of Catholic culture, Catholic tradition, Catholic belief, even if my religious practice is episodic.”

I like him already.

First Major, now this guy. Imagine, a revival of the faith in europe...let it be.