Current Events & Trends: France at the center of a culture clash
The Economist reports that "the French breathed a collective sigh of relief on July 1st when the European Court of Human Rights upheld the country's 2010 ban on the wearing of full-faced veils in public places" ("Why the French Are so Strict About Islamic Head Coverings," July 6, 2014).
France has long been dedicated to fully embracing secularism in the public space, eschewing overtly outward displays of religion. For the past four years this has drawn the ire of many of France's estimated 6.5 million Muslims. They argue that the banning of veils is an infringement of religious freedom and an act of persecution.
Whatever the popular views of the decision, it's a telling look at the reality of the culture crisis facing France and Europe as a whole. Some in France hope for a "fully-French" Islam of the future—one based on integration and a moderate form of the religion. While many French Muslim leaders continue to promote the image of a moderate French Islam, perceptions within France can be quite different. A 2011 poll revealed that 68 percent of French citizens consider Muslims to be poorly integrated into French society, while millions more view Muslim communities as a threat to the nation (Nabila Ramdani, "European Poll: An Islamic Threat?" Al-Jazeera, Jan. 6, 2011).
This issue is much wider and much more encompassing than just a ban on certain types of traditional Islamic headwear. It's part of an ongoing culture war in the Western world.
Will Islam and the West ever peacefully coexist? While Islam's role in biblical prophecy isn't entirely clear, what is clear is that a coming power led by what is called in the Bible "the king of the South" will emerge from what is currently known as the Islamic world. This king of the South is prophesied to be at war with another world power led by the king of the North.
The prophet Daniel foretold that "at the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through" (Daniel 11:40). This coming conflict is an important prophetic marker, as Daniel was clear in stating that it will occur "at the time of the end."
When reading news about seemingly distant and unimportant details like the French ban on Islamic headwear, keep in mind that even small events and trends can be moving us forward in Bible prophecy. Stay alert and watch! (Sources: The Economist, Al-Jazeera.)
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: September - October 2014
Course Content
Rudolph Rangel III
Rudy Rangel attends the Cincinnati East, Ohio congregation along with his wife Judy and two children.
Darris McNeely
Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
Peter Eddington
Peter serves at the home office as Interim Manager of Media and Communications Services.
He studied production engineering at the Swinburne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and is a journeyman machinist. He moved to the United States to attend Ambassador College in 1980. He graduated from the Pasadena campus in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and married his college sweetheart, Terri. Peter was ordained an elder in 1992. He served as assistant pastor in the Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, California, congregations from 1995 through 1998 and the Cincinnati, Ohio, congregations from 2010 through 2011.
