Urgent Prayer Needed for the French Congress
"This is the first time, as President of the Protestant Federation of France, that I find myself in the position of defending freedom of worship. I never imagined that in my own country something like this could happen," - François Clavairoly, president of the FPF
For weeks now, many have publicly decried this bill as extremely damaging to the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion in France.
“Libérticide” is the phrase we like the best – “Freedom Killer” is the best translation.
Tomorrow, this bill moves to the National Assembly where it will be voted on in approximately two weeks. Already, over 2,650 amendments have been proposed, however, several major problems remain.
What's the problem? It’s supposed to curb radical Islam. Isn’t that good?
The first thing is that it doesn’t apply to most Muslims! In France, most mosques are dubbed “cultural centers” and organized as 1901 associations. This law applies to 1905 associations.
So, which associations are 1905? 4,000 of the 5,000 registered 1905 associations are Protestant Churches (and 90% of Evangelical Churches are 1905 associations!)
So, rather than limiting Islam, it is a slap in the face to Evangelicals and promotes the idea that that religion is guilty until proven innocent, houses of worship are centers of terrorism, and anything that is related to faith should be controlled and erased.
Here are four aspects of this law that directly affect the Evangelical Church in France:
1. Evangelical Churches will need to apply to their prefectures every five years to keep their status as a church. For any reason, the prefecture could close the church without any hearing or other legal process.
2. Churches will need to declare foreign funds over 10,000 EUR, and “certify their accounts” which is like getting audited financials and costs several thousand euros. The churches who can’t pay? The pastor is personally fined 9,000 EUR and the church is uncompliant.
3. Article 44 – “The government’s representative… can temporarily close a place of worship if certain positions, ideas, or theories are shared or certain activities are done which incite hatred or violence towards a person or a group of people or would justify or encourage such hate or violence.” This puts the State in a position to audit preaching and teaching in a Church.
4. Homeschooling – although not widely practiced among Evangelicals in France as is in the US – would still be made illegal except for children with health issues, intense sports/artistic activities, live too far from a school, or have other situations specific to the child but whose parents can justify their ability to teach. There is no exception for religious or philosophical abstention.
Please pray that the voices of the French Church are heard and that the law is rejected or approved with the modifications desired by the FPF and the CNEF.
In Christ,
David Broussard
President, Impact France