Hate towards people because of their faith is increasing in France, according to the initial findings of the investigation carried out by two MPs, ordered by French Prime Minister Jean Castex.
Evangelical Focus reports on the basis of research from La République En Marche (the Republic on the Move, LERM) and MoDem (democratic movement) that there were more than 1650 cases of anti-religious violence in France in 2021: 857 acts were against Christians, 589 against Jews, and 213 attacks against Muslims. The number of attacks against Muslims have increased by 38 percent compared to 2019, the researchers conclude.
The liberal MP Ludovic Mendes, who presented the report together with his centrist colleague Isabelle Florennes, pointed out that the hatred against religion has been increasing the past ten years. He explained that violence is becoming more hateful and violent, and that small daily aggressions happen more frequently.
The two MPs explained that “every denomination that was interviewed described a society that is becoming more and more hateful and violent” towards them.
Furthermore, “the small daily aggressions are more and more frequent. Unfortunately, many seem to be getting used to it, or rather learning to live with it”, added Mendes.
They underlined that this rise in hatred and violence “is fuelled by political discourse, with a speech that no longer has any limits”, and advocated for “a better education about religions”.
Romain Choisnet, communications director of the National Council of Evangelicals in France tweeted that “for a long time, anti-Christian acts consisted of damage to or theft from places of worship, but physical violence is now on the increase.”
