Politics and Religion
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 laïcité 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 <http://www.mikejocktane.com/>. 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 <http://www.impactfrancophone.com>. 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
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