The recent unrest in France, which includes riots and widespread looting, might seem like a political issue on the surface. However, Steve Deace, a host on BlazeTV, suggests that the roots of the problem run much deeper.
He describes the situation as a manifestation of “social contagions the West unleashed upon itself,” suggesting these issues are converging specifically in France.
While he acknowledges Islam as a contributing factor, he emphasizes it’s not the singular cause. He refers to it as more of a “galvanizer” in the context of the current crisis.
“Remember, our country was founded on 12 principles derived from the Christian church. The 13th intended to be a place where all branches of the Christian faith could coexist,” Deace clarifies.
He points out that Christianity is fundamentally intertwined with the nation’s identity. “Who built this country? The Puritans, a devout Christian group, established much of what America represents today,” he adds.
Deace continues, “The counterculture has emerged as a reaction to this foundation. It fights against Christianity, coming with new norms regarding gender, sexuality, crime, and parenting.”
“What we’re seeing is a pushback against Christian values—that’s the cultural battle at play here,” he maintains.
France, in his view, stands as a contemporary example of the ramifications of opposing Christian ethics.
The spiritual situation in France is notably poor, with a recent report revealing stark statistics: “Over 40% of the population claims Catholicism, but only about 5% participate in mass regularly. Given that Catholic practices are heavily liturgical, that’s a significant gap,” Deace observes.
Ultimately, he suggests that “95% of those who identify as Catholic aren’t actively practicing,” and even more concerning, he notes that only “1.1% of the population is evangelical.”
“This is quite alarming for a nation boasting almost 70 million inhabitants. It’s home to some of the most magnificent churches in Christian history. How did we get to this point? They simply let go,” he reflects.
But this trend isn’t limited to France; it’s a broader issue across Europe.
Deace points out, “Europe is undergoing a significant transformation, and the warning has been noted in Revelation 2:5—when the light extinguishes, this is what you get. If that happens here, we could face similar outcomes.”
“It’s a call for revival or perhaps facing dire consequences,” he concludes.
