In 2016, Cardinal Juan Omella stated publicly that “interfaith dialogue with Islam was ‘necessary.'” Father Custodio Ballester contradicted the Cardinal and was subsequently found guilty of an “Islamophobic” response.
[It should be noted that this publication, Biblical Christian Worldview, does not support the theological views of the Catholic Church, regardless of how aligned we may be on certain social matters (ex., abortion). The example of a priest being sentenced for hate speech related to comments about Islam is intended to enlighten readers on freedom of speech issues and not to condone traditional Roman Catholicism.]
Ballester is now facing up to THREE YEARS IN A SPANISH PRISON, plus fines. What did Father Ballester say that was considered illegal hate speech? In an article entitled “The Impossible Dialogue with Islam,” he stated …
“This renewed revival of Christian-Muslim dialogue, paralyzed by the alleged ‘imprudence’ of the beloved Benedict XVI, is far from a reality.
Islam does not allow for dialogue. You either believe or you are an infidel who must be subdued one way or another.”
The ruling by the courts is based on Article 10 of the Spanish Penal Code, which “criminalizes public expressions that incite hatred, hostility, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, illness, or disability.”
As Ballester awaits sentencing, many have come to his aid. A petition with more than 28 thousand signatories, along with the Spanish president, and groups such as HazterOir.org and the Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience, have shown support.
It is Ballester’s view that the final outcome of this case will determine “the survival of freedom of expression in today’s Spain.”
To offer another example of Spanish religious bigotry, just last month a public news anchor reportedly showed concern over growing Christian influence:
"Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE has apologized for a program that described the growth of Evangelical churches as 'worrying' and portrayed them as 'dangerous,' promising to handle religious issues with 'the utmost care' following a wave of complaints from Evangelical organizations and viewers."
This is the state of evolving European freedom of speech and is not so dissimilar to the lawfare pressed on America during the liberal Biden administration and the now increasingly restrictive clampdown by the conservative Trump administration. We are entering a world where the outliers on all extremes are being throttled. The theory is that hate speech begets action, and as we become increasingly more polarized, forcing the public to maintain verbal decorum will result in reduced violence. The success of this approach remains to be seen. Though many seem to be in favor of the approach, others view it as a precursor to a future form of social credit system already prevalent in countries like China.
Only time will tell if we are habituating toward a world where dissension in the form of Biblical Christian theology will be increasingly punished.
Acts 5:28-29 - "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men."
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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