The “Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe“ (OIDAC), together with the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Latin America (OLIRE) and the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) welcome you to the presentation of its report
"Perceptions on Self-Censorship: Confirming and Understanding the ‘Chilling Effect‘", which explores the hard-to-grasp phenomenon of self-censorship among Christians due to a "Chilling Effect" caused by intolerance towards dissenting views in secular society.
The report focuses on the 4 countries: France, Germany, Colombia and Mexico. The most social problems and conflicts affecting the various human rights and freedoms of fellow Christians.
The “Top 5 –Report 2019/2020”, presented in Vienna on the Intl. Day of Human Rights (10 Dec.), shows a multitude of incidents and examples of hate crimes as vandalism of churches and other threats to religious freedom in five European countries (Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom).
During the Press Conference, OIDAC´s director Madeleine Enzlberger described the phenomenon as an increase of intolerance and discrimination against Christians in Europe: “This phenomenon can occur in various forms, such as vandalism – antireligious motivated attacks against churches and Christian buildings - or even anti-Christian hate crimes against individuals. But also, through the progressively restricting or contestation of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, contractual freedom or parental rights.”
British Pastor Bernard Randall from Nottingham, spoke about his recent experience: "As chaplain of a Christian school, I spoke in a sermon about the need to respect people of all beliefs especially where there are disagreements. As examples, I suggested that traditional Christian beliefs about marriage and the reality of biological sex may be held - but that pupils must make up their own minds. I was sacked, and reported to the police as a potential terrorist."
The Austrian Professor Regina Polak, expert on Sociology of Religion at the University of Vienna, addressed the lack of awareness and the under-reporting of Anti-Christian hate crimes. Prof. Polak holds the position of a Special Representative for Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination at the OSCE.
Referring to the report, the German lawyer Felix Boellmann from ADF International highlighted the danger of a slippery slope when “Intolerance in the name of tolerance” becomes a guideline for the State.: “Non-discrimination laws must treat the various protected classes equally. Tolerance cannot be a one-way street.“
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