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The Siver Ring Of Freedom
"The West reveals here a hatred of itself, which is strange and can be only considered pathological; the West is laudably trying to open itself, full of understanding, to external values, but it no longer loves itself; in its own history, it now sees only what is deplorable and destructive, while it is no longer able to perceive what is great and pure."
- Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
I was deeply humbled when I first read of Lydia Playfoot's story a few weeks back and it touched my heart to hear of her devotion and steadfastness in standing up for the freedom to express her religious beliefs during a time when so many Christians around the world have found themselves under attack. I had faith that England's court would respect Lydia Playfoot's freedom to express her religious beliefs. I was wrong.
Thinking of Lydia's case, I reflected back only two years ago when three Christian school girls over here in Indonesia were brutally beheaded for no reason other than the fact that they were Christians. The three girls almost the same age as Lydia, were identified as Christians by the crucifixes they wore.
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...and her parent's business. They sell the rings for £10 a pop. The SRT movement also landed a $1 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Comparing this money-making, MTV-style religion to the martyrdom of three girls in Indonesia is appalling, in my opinion. You also gloss over the difference between the state-sponsored restriction of Playfoot's scrupulousness and the criminal activities of rogue religious extremists.
England is an officially Christian country. The idea that Christians are somehow facing undo oppression under its government is patently absurd. There are nuns being murdered (probably right now, as I type this) in Iraq, and — to a lesser extent — Lebanon. Lydia Playfoot's failure to promote her parents' social program is not really the most pressing threat to Christiandom.
My husband read through this thread, and was appalled at those who think freedom of religion is and should be negotiable. He told me something he's said many times, and we've all read many times. "For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know."
I pity those who dedicate their lives to fighting against freedom.