(ChurchLeaders) A proposed law on religion in Denmark would require clergy to translate their messages into Danish and submit them to the government. While the bill is intended to curb Islamic extremism, church leaders of all stripes are arguing that it will be harmful to Christians and other people of faith in the country, as well as to religious freedom in Europe.
“The law will have negative consequences for many religious groups, such as evangelicals, moderate Muslims, and other officially recognized communities who now have to spend time and money on translations,” Thomas B. Mikkelsen, Chairman of the Evangelical Alliance Denmark, told Evangelical Focus. “The law aims to protect our community from the growth of radical Islamism, but the law will probably not be effective in that regard. Radical groups tend to establish themselves on the margins, in a parallel society, and never apply for official recognition. I do not think a new law will affect them in any way.”