Islamist ideology poses a threat to other faiths

We must target the jihadist roots of anti-Christian bigotry.

The Pope celebrated Easter by washing the feet of Muslims and praying for peace. Islamist militants celebrated Easter by slaughtering Christians. Jihadist groups state openly their mission is to destroy Christianity, but Barack Obama refuses to acknowledge that Islamism is a political ideology rooted in violent theology. Western counter-terrorism strategy commonly reflects Obama’s false distinction between Islamist terrorism and Koranic fundamentalism. To prevent further violence against innocent citizens, world leaders must adapt to the mounting evidence that religious fundamentalism is driving jihadism.

The Islamic State network responsible for the Belgium atrocities planned to attack worshippers at church services in Europe and Britain, but revised their schedule following the arrest of Paris plotter Salah Abdeslam. The Taliban offshoot responsible for killing scores of women and children in Lahore stated “the target was Christians”. Muslims in the West inclusive of other faiths are the newest targets of Islamist hatred.

The latest jihadist attacks reflect a pattern of growing global hostility towards Christians. In its annual report, Open Doors USA reported 2015 as the worst year on record for anti-Christian hate crime and persecution. North Korea was the worst offender for the persecution of Christians while Islamist regimes were serial perpetrators. Nearly one million persecuted Christians have been slaughtered or displaced in the Middle East. In such circumstances, it is reasonable to prioritise the intake of Christians in refugee programs. Australia has committed to a policy focused on persecuted minorities notwithstanding criticisms of Islamophobia, but few Western governments show such common sense. Instead, the forms of Christian persecution common to communist and Islamist states are taking root in the West.

Church burning and the suppression of holy festivities are hallmarks of international Christian persecution. During the past year, several churches were set alight in Victoria, including a spate over the 2015 Easter period. The Left media blamed the church burnings on anti-pedophile sentiment without official evidence to substantiate it. Also in Victoria, the Labor government banned “praise music” in schools, effectively ending the tradition of hymns and Christmas carols. The school curriculum has become less inclusive of Christianity, omitting its foundational role in Western civilisation and the Australian nation.

The Brussels and Lahore terrorist attacks have put the West on notice to acknowledge the religious roots of jihadism in counter-terrorism programs and guard against growing Christian persecution. We should prioritise persecuted Christians in refugee programs; teach schoolchildren the Christian origins of secular statehood, freedom of speech and formal equality; guard against anti-Christian prejudice in politics and the media; and defend religious freedom.