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Politics and Religion
By Kenyatta Hardy
Separation of Church and State in France - today this democratic
principal divides Christianity in the country and has ignited the
possibility of a controversial alliance between evangelical Christians
and Muslims. One may soon see a well known French bishop set
up a series of events that not only forward his mission to spread
Christianity throughout France and the Francophone but support
Muslim growth in France as well, resulting in closer ties between the
seemingly rival religions.
Last week Nicolas Sarkozy, a French Interior Minister, appointed a
commission to study possible changes in a law dividing the spiritual
and temporal spheres, thereby challenging the hundred year old
French law separating church and state. The law is based on three
principles: the neutrality of the state, the freedom to exercise
religion, and public powers related to the church. This law is seen
as the backbone of the French principle la?cit¨¦ which states "The
Republic neither recognizes, neither salaries, neither subsidizes any
religion".
The law, originally passed in 1905, had the wide spread support of
French citizens as well as the Catholic Church. It still does.
But with France's rapidly declining Catholic population many feel
this law's time has come and gone. In 1980, 80% of French citizens
declared themselves Catholic, as opposed to 1996, the year of the
Pope's visit, when only 63% of the population classified themselves
as Catholic. Along with the down trending adherence to the
Catholic religion, it should be noted that France's Muslim
population, (currently six million), is growing five times faster than
the nominal Catholic population. If these rates hold steady,
Muslims will outnumber Catholics in less than three generations.
This burgeoning Muslim population generally supports proposed
changes in the law which would allow for a number of benefits
including limited governmental assistance for building Mosques.
Considering the alarming decline in Catholic belief and practice in
France, it is also noteworthy to report that green shoots of faith-
based evangelical Christian churches and congregations are taking
root both in France and the Francophone. These evangelical
Christians and the Catholic Church are divided on the law change
issue and it is the Muslims and Evangelicals that are, coincidentally,
finding themselves on the same side.
The basis for the conflict is two fold. While public money
subsidizes everything from big companies to small clubs in France,
the law bars any direct public help for building houses of worship.
Secondly, Muslims sometimes have problems getting building
permits from conservative town councils, and the evangelicals --
mostly immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean -- face hostility
from some left-wing officials. The proposed change in the law
would protect both of these groups and allow them to grow.
One evangelical leader of note is Bishop Mike Jocktane
. A prominent Christian Bishop
and influential political leader in his own right, Jocktane may be the
glue that leads the entire faith movement through these issues in
France and also gets the Muslims to join the fight.
A duel citizen of France and Gabon, Jocktane is in a unique position
to helm the faith movement in both France and the Francophone
through his vast ministry and his organization Impact Francophone
. Impact Francophone has
as its mission the unification of the various French speaking peoples
by and through the growth of Christianity throughout France and the
Francophone.
Bishop Jocktane has strong political ties with the French,
Gabonese, and throughout Africa, as well as a following in the
United States. He has a purpose-driven life with Christ and a
peace plan for the world as his fuel. He oversees a large number of
churches in Africa and has now established an office and church in
Paris. He is a graduate of the Christ For The Nations Institute and
holds a degree in theology from Oral Roberts University.
¡°In some ways I want to even the playing field for any religion to
flourish¡±, says Jocktane. ¡°To some that may not seem politically
correct but true spirituality is the glue that binds humanity and
culture¡±. Jocktane is clearly living up to a fundamental Christian
belief of doing to others as one would want others to do unto
oneself.
The next few months will be an interesting period of French history
as forces in the evangelical Christian movement, lead by such
influential Bishops as Jocktane, appear to join hands with those in
the Muslim community, in their mutual quest for more even handed
treatment from certain government institutions. Interestingly enough
this type of confluence of interest could spark better relations
between two of the largest religions in the world. Considering the
events of today that couldn't be a bad thing.
Kenyatta Hardy
Contributing Writer
Press Direct International
About the Author
http://www.mikejocktane.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/14836.html
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