From a moral point of view, there is no excuse for terrorist acts, regardless of the motive or the situation under which they are carried out. - Jurgen Habermas (1929 - )
For the normative self-understanding of modernity, Christianity has functioned as more than just a precursor or catalyst. Universalistic egalitarianism, from which sprang the ideals of freedom and a collective life in solidarity, the autonomous conduct of life and emancipation, the individual morality of conscience, human rights and democracy, is the direct legacy of the Judaic ethic of justice and the Christian ethic of love. This legacy, substantially unchanged, has been the object of a continual critical reappropriation and reinterpretation. Up to this very day there is no alternative to it. And in light of the current challenges of a post-national constellation, we must draw sustenance now, as in the past, from this substance. Everything else is idle postmodern talk. - Jurgen Habermas
The civilization of Christian Europe was built by people whose purpose was not that of constructing a “Christian civilization”. We owe it to people who believed in Christ, not to people who believed in Christianity. - Rémi Brague
But I think that the lofty idea of `the war on racism' is gradually turning into a hideously false ideology. And this anti-racism will be for the 21st century what communism was for the 20th century. A source of violence. Today, Jews are attacked in the name of anti-racist discourse: the separation fence, `Zionism is racism.'- Alain Finkielkraut
It is certain that Europe will emerge changed from its confrontation with Islam. It is far less certain that Islam will prove assimilable. Europe finds itself in a contest with Islam for the allegiance of its newcomers. For now, Islam is the stronger party in that contest, in an obvious demographic way and in a less obvious philosophical way.... When an insecure, malleable, relativistic culture meets a culture that is anchored, confident, and strengthened by common doctrines, it is generally the former that changes to suit the latter'-Christopher Caldwell, Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam and the West,
"Europe will emerge changed" Amen, bishop! I drove through Europe this summer. Even walking around the streets of Swiss, German, Swedish towns, the conflict of civilizations is obvious. And yes, the Islamic one looks just so much more powerful than tasteless mid-European believe-in-nothing-just-make-me-feel-good post-Christian attitude. Such a great difference from China - a third great civilization, which I happenned to visit in the end of August - a godless, but centuries-long tradition of the interests of nation supremacy over the interests of an individual. Of these three, the European humanism is the weekest. So Europe faces the choice between returning to Christianity (Christ!) or losing this war to stronger civilizations. Unfortunately, we do not yet fully realize this choice. What will it take God do to us that we begin to understand. Are we in for another holocaust?
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