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EUROPE: MARCHING TO ITS DEATH
It is an extraordinary fact that Europe is
marching to its death. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB)
in its report, entitled "2004 Population Data Sheet",
released in November 2004, estimated that the European Union
population will fall by 96 million by 2050, even if it gains
600,000 immigrants a year. That is, to sustain its present
workers-to-retirees ratio, Europe will require an astonishing
13.5 million more immigrants.
European Union's Birth Rate
For the European Union as a whole, the average
birth rate is only 1.5 children per woman, with several countries
with a birth rate of less than 1.3 - such as Greece, Spain,
Germany, Italy and some countries in Eastern Europe. Ben Wattenberg,
in his book, "Fewer: How the New Democracy of Depopulation
Will Shape our Future", warned that never in the last
650 years, since the time of the Black Plague, have birth
and fertility rates fallen so far, so fast, so low, for so
long, in so many places".
This low birth rate has led to the undermining
of the entire social security system in major European nations.
The choice is stark: reform the pension, unemployment benefits
and social security now, or risk crippling economic and social
costs down the line.
However, reform proposals in Europe have met
with a backlash. In fact, this backlash was one of the reasons
why German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder lost his position
in Germany's recent election. The fact is that Europeans are
not prepared to be deprived of any of their benefits, no matter
how necessary this is for the viable future of their country.
Decrease in Economic Productivity
The low fertility rate has already decreased
economic productivity in the European Union. In the 1970's,
European nations' annual growth averaged almost 3%. But from
2001 to 2004, the annual average was 1.2%. In 1974, the European
Union countries held unemployment at 2.4%, but in 2004 the
rate was 8.9%. By 2050 the European Union share of local productivity
will shrink by nearly half from today's 18% to 10%.
It should be pointed out here that although
Canada's birth rate is as low as those of the European countries,
our economy is booming due to huge energy exports. However,
what will happen when this comes to an end? Our destiny will
be the same as that of Europe.
European Union's Debt Burden
The low fertility rate and ageing population
has led the European Union to face debt burdens worse than
those experienced during the Second World War. According to
the Financial Times (April 2004), European Union countries,
including Germany and France, will see their debt grow to
over 200% of gross domestic product by 2050. Such negative
momentum has not been experienced on such a large scale in
the world's history.
Europe's Inaction to Problems
Tragically, in general, the European Union
is immobilized by its low birth rate and economic problems
which are rapidly turning the European Union into one of history's
"has beens". Too many people are benefiting from
the status quo to provide the stamina to change, even though
the status quo is simply not sustainable. Europeans seem to
find it too strenuous to have children, to stop illegal immigration,
or even to reach out to vary its sources of immigration. Europeans
are just too comfortable to change their ways, or perhaps
too self absorbed to take notice of the warning signs of looming
disaster.
Immigration from the Muslim World
The void caused by the low birth rate in the
European Union is being rapidly filled by Muslims. Islam is
robust, assertive, and ambitious, and Muslims reproduce in
large numbers. Some 5% of the European Union, or nearly 20
million persons at present identify themselves as Muslims.
If current trends continue, the number will reach 10% by 2020,
which is not that far away. At present demographic rates,
by 2020, the majority of Holland's children under 18 years
old will be Muslim.
Most Muslims in the European Union are content
to be law abiding and culturally integrated, and are resourceful
and industrious citizens in their adopted countries. However,
there are other Muslims who feel alienated as evidenced by
the riots that recently shook France, the train bombing in
Madrid several years ago, as well as by the subway bombing
that took place in London in July, 2005. Muslim sections of
Paris, Rotterdam and other European Union cities are already
labeled "no go zones" for non-Muslims, including
armed policemen because of these violent Muslims.
Some Muslims refuse to assimilate because
they believe they have a religious duty not to integrate.
The isolation of such young Muslims, particularly those of
the second-and third-generations, indicates they are no longer
strongly connected to their family's country of origin, nor
do they intend to become part of their adopted country. Instead,
they form their own Muslim conscience from the Internet, books,
videotapes and audiotapes as well as from radical "experts"
and local Mullahs (religious leaders).
Thus, in this constantly morphing environment,
an increasingly radical Islam is emerging within the European
Union. Disconnected from their homelands, isolated from their
non-Muslim neighbours and fellow workers, and alienated from
their elders, these young Muslims find the strange disembodied,
globalized radical Islam very appealing.
This serious situation has proliferated as
a result of cultural tolerance which, since World War II,
has slowly turned Europe's attitude into a surprising self-loathing
of western culture, and especially of Christianity, although
the latter is the very foundation of Europe.
Europe's Rejection of Christianity
This rejection by the European Union of its
Christian heritage was apparent when its proposed Constitution
was drafted: It completely ignored Europe's Christian past,
which for centuries generously served Europe and was the very
heart of European culture.
According to columnist Mark Steyn, Europe's
decline is directly linked to its hostility toward its very
roots, which is the Christian faith. Europe's rejection of
what Christianity teaches about faith, morality and family
has made the continent assume a different world view. This
has led to Europe's attempts to eliminate every last trace
of Christianity from its midst. For example:
- In 2002, the European Union's Parliament adopted reports
providing legislation and budgeting for the "harmonizing"
and provision of access to abortion throughout the European
Union. This same report also included a full-scale attack
on Christianity, particularly against Pentecostals, Evangelicals,
and Roman Catholics.
Ironically, the treaties that formed the European
Union (the Rome Treaty and the Maastricht Treaty) stated explicitly
that health services and medical care (which includes abortion),
are not within the competence of the European Union Parliament.
Yet, as early as March 9, 1999, a resolution by the European
Parliament stated that it was in support of the legalization
of abortion.
- In June 2005, an Italian, Rocco Buttiglione,
a devout Roman Catholic, was forced to resign his candidacy
for the position of Justice Commissioner for the European
Union Commission as he had stated, during his confirmation
hearings, that he believed that homosexuality was a sin, and
that a child was better off with a mother and father.
As a result of his truthful, but politically
incorrect statement, and his withdrawal, he was replaced by
the fierce anti-Christian, secularist, Franco Frattini.
- In October, 2005, the European Union's
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of European Union (PACE)
adopted a resolution which recommended that European Union
Countries ensure that women not be subject to religiously
inspired policies and laws, such as abortion law. The resolution
went on to state that its members must:
Ensure that the freedom of religion and the
respect for culture and tradition are not accepted as a pretext
to justify violations of women's rights, including when underage
girls are forced to submit to religious codes [where] their
access to contraception is barred by their family or community.
- In December 2005, a 40 page opinion from
the European Union network of Independent Reports on Fundamental
Rights criticized a proposed treaty between the Vatican and
Catholic Slovakia, which prohibits medical professionals from
participating in abortion and other procedures because of
their faith. This report also included the following provisions:
- Countries where assisted suicide
is legal must provide easy access to these services, and medical
doctors may not deprive any person from the possibility of
exercising effectively his or her rights as guaranteed under
the applicable legislation.
- Any violation of rights to marriage
for same-sex couples or transsexuals should not be tolerated,
and public authorities must ensure officers are available
to celebrate these unions.
- Pharmacists should be obliged to dispense
drugs to which they are morally opposed, including the
abortifacient pill, regardless of their religious conscience.
- In January 2006, the European Union Parliament
passed a resolution against "homophobia" and urged
member states to ban "homophobia", which it equated
with racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and sexism. Although
the resolution is legally non-binding, the new European Union's
Justice Minister, Franco Frattini, announced that nations
that did not eliminate all forms of discrimination, including
the approval of homosexual marriages, would be subject to
sanctions and eventual expulsion from the European Union.
Discord in the European Unity
REAL Women has attended many UN conferences
where we have cringed whenever delegates from the European
Union speak. We know with certainty that they will be putting
forward totally unacceptable anti-life / family proposals.
Sadly, Canada's delegation works at the UN, hand in glove
with the European Union. These two entities work in tandem
to eliminate from all UN documents protection of religion,
and life and family.
REAL Women has assumed over the years, that
the European Union countries were united in their anti-life
/ family positions as expressed at the UN. This, however,
is apparently no longer the case. There is a growing conflict
between the "old" European Union nations, which
initially numbered 15 nations and included Germany, France,
Britain, Denmark, Spain, Greece etc. and the "new"
10 member nations, which mostly come from Eastern Europe.
These "new" European Union countries, such as Poland,
Latvia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Estonia refuse to
permit homosexual unions (as does Italy), and oppose the European
Unions Parliament's resolution on homophobia and abortion
and euthanasia.
Further, to the anger of France and Germany,
who fancy themselves are the leaders of the European Union,
these eastern European nations supported the US on the War
in Iraq. The independence of these Eastern European countries
is derived from the many years they were held under the heels
of dictators, such as Stalin and Hitler. These countries refuse
to be ordered around by others now - no matter who they may
be, as evidenced by their rejection of the European Parliament's
anti-Christian policies.
Summary
Unless there are immediate changes in Europe,
one of the most brilliantly successful societies will collapse
due to its lack of cultural confidence, and offspring. The
only question left will be whether Europe will go peacefully
into the night or through convulsions and violence.
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