”Freedom of worship and of thought is the foundation of all freedoms and it is a value that has to be recognised if we are not to run the risk that the Arab Spring leads to a winter in which dictatorships are replaced by religious despotism.” And of course that is already happening. I tried to tell you: “Arab Spring – Europe calls for safeguard of Christians,” from ANSAmed, November 22 (thanks to Insubria):
(ANSAmed) – BEIRUT, NOVEMBER 22 – Eight hundred thousand refugees from Iraq in the wake of the violence following the downfall of Saddam Hussein, dozens of victims among the Copt demonstrators in Egypt following the ousting of president Mubarak. Christians are paying a heavy price under the turbulence that is shaking the Arab world, where there is a risk of nurturing a climate in which Islamic fundamentalism will thrive. This risk has been the subject of a discussion during a conference held in Beirut between Euro-MPs and representatives of the Eastern Churches, which has been promoted by the Euro-Parliament and the Episcopal Conference of European Bishops.
From Italy’s Democratic Party, and Deputy Speaker of the Euro-Parliament, Gianni Pittella warned how ”Freedom of worship and of thought is the foundation of all freedoms and it is a value that has to be recognised if we are not to run the risk that the Arab Spring leads to a winter in which dictatorships are replaced by religious despotism”….