Europe, Like Stocks, Rising?
Is Europe rising along with the stock market? Well, rising may not be the correct term, but something's certainly brewing "over there":
As for Europe rising, continuing yesterday's thoughts, you can add this darker, more bitter brew to the mix: If Europe's salvation depends on a recognition and embrace of its Christian heritage, the people who have joined hands in various "nationalist" parties aren't overtly recognizing their fundamental grounding in Christianity. Rather, their movements appear to be energized by negative reaction to an onslaught of immigrants, one that more and more is being characterized as an "invasion." Oh, and lest we allow the term "immigrants" to float generically out there, let's be specific on this. We're talking about a negative reaction to Islam.
And no, it's not negative just to so-called "radical" Islam. The mantra that it's "radical" Islam causing all the trouble has for these past few years more or less kept the lid on what seems now to be boiling over. One gets the sense that these nationalist parties won't be satisfied with that old distinction any more. They're fed up with Muslims in general spilling into their country, radical or not. If these movements continue to pick up steam, we've got a major shift in sentiment, politics, and, in the end, national policy. And let's not forget that if policy doesn't satisfy those agitated by the recent mass migrations adding to what is perceived as a heavy mix of Muslims already settled in their countries, you can't rule out accelerating violent confrontation in the streets.
You can blame the nationalist parties for this state of affairs. But let's not let the current European leadership off the hook. They've sat by for years watching Muslim immigrants not only move in, but in so many cases set up little fiefdoms within their national borders where law and order is defined not by European standards, but by Shariah law enforced locally within the Muslim communities - communities existing, in many cases, separate and apart from the broader native population.
Much has been written about this and we suspect much more will be. But the latest outbursts signal a dangerous trend unless they ultimately ground themselves in the desire to restore the Christian foundation of the various European nations. So far, we're not seeing that. Which means that rather than rising, Europe stands to extend its downward spiral, one that can only end in Godless chaos. We pray enough Europeans wake up and recall their religious and cultural roots before that end approaches.
...this is precisely what we meant when we said that feelings of intense nationalism could well lead directly to dangerous bouts of scapegoating xenophobia...Stocks have been staging a robust rally after hitting their August 24th lows. While none of the underlying fundamentals indicate a continuation of the bull market, it doesn't particularly matter right now. Stocks are rising and will likely continue to do so until some "event" shakes up the investing/trading masses and there's a re-set - at which points all bets will be off. Anyway, that's the way it seems.
As for Europe rising, continuing yesterday's thoughts, you can add this darker, more bitter brew to the mix: If Europe's salvation depends on a recognition and embrace of its Christian heritage, the people who have joined hands in various "nationalist" parties aren't overtly recognizing their fundamental grounding in Christianity. Rather, their movements appear to be energized by negative reaction to an onslaught of immigrants, one that more and more is being characterized as an "invasion." Oh, and lest we allow the term "immigrants" to float generically out there, let's be specific on this. We're talking about a negative reaction to Islam.
And no, it's not negative just to so-called "radical" Islam. The mantra that it's "radical" Islam causing all the trouble has for these past few years more or less kept the lid on what seems now to be boiling over. One gets the sense that these nationalist parties won't be satisfied with that old distinction any more. They're fed up with Muslims in general spilling into their country, radical or not. If these movements continue to pick up steam, we've got a major shift in sentiment, politics, and, in the end, national policy. And let's not forget that if policy doesn't satisfy those agitated by the recent mass migrations adding to what is perceived as a heavy mix of Muslims already settled in their countries, you can't rule out accelerating violent confrontation in the streets.
You can blame the nationalist parties for this state of affairs. But let's not let the current European leadership off the hook. They've sat by for years watching Muslim immigrants not only move in, but in so many cases set up little fiefdoms within their national borders where law and order is defined not by European standards, but by Shariah law enforced locally within the Muslim communities - communities existing, in many cases, separate and apart from the broader native population.
Much has been written about this and we suspect much more will be. But the latest outbursts signal a dangerous trend unless they ultimately ground themselves in the desire to restore the Christian foundation of the various European nations. So far, we're not seeing that. Which means that rather than rising, Europe stands to extend its downward spiral, one that can only end in Godless chaos. We pray enough Europeans wake up and recall their religious and cultural roots before that end approaches.
Comments