Religious Freedom in Europe Just Hit Its Lowest Point in Two Decades

Human Rights Without Frontiers Warns That European Governments Are Quietly Regulating Christianity Out of Public Life

European governmental restrictions on religious freedom have reached their highest level in two decades, according to a new report from Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF). The watchdog has coined a chilling new term to describe the trend: "managerial secularism."

"Managerial secularism" appears neutral on paper but in practice gives governments sweeping control over when, where, and how Christians may worship, preach, or even speak in public.

How Managerial Secularism Is Squeezing Christianity Out of European Public Life

HRWF cites France's prohibition on religious symbols in public schools, France's ban on full face veils, and the case of Britain's Bread of Life Community Church in Colchester, where the council issued a Community Protection Notice over preaching on hell and judgement.

"Secularism is becoming a tool to push religion out of common spaces," HRWF concludes, "instead of a system that protects equal freedom of conscience for everyone." Prayers, processions, and public protests are increasingly time and location restricted, not because of safety concerns, but because they are deemed inappropriate for "neutral" public spaces.

The trend is being supercharged by post 9/11 terrorism fears, mass immigration, and the rapid Islamisation of large European cities.

The Crusader's Opinion

Two decades. Religious freedom in Europe is now at its worst level in twenty years, and HRWF has finally given the disease its proper name. Managerial secularism is the slow strangulation of Christian public witness through bureaucratic process. No edicts, no banning of the Bible, no Roman lions. Just paperwork, sound permits, and Community Protection Notices. This is how a continent that gave the world Westminster Abbey, Notre Dame, and Saint Peter's loses its faith. Christians must contest every regulation, every fine, every council notice. Christianity does not survive Europe by being polite.

Take Action

• Read: The full HRWF annual report
• Donate: Religious liberty organisations like ADF International
• Contact: Your MEP demanding pushback against managerial secularism
• Pray: For European Christians facing daily regulatory persecution
• Share: The "managerial secularism" term and warn fellow believers about the trend