Changes

The EU removed most internal border patrols, so people now flow freely from one country into the next, such as from Austria into Germany.  The Muslim influx has been particularly high.  In past centuries, churches would play a central role in integrating the immigrants into the local activities and culture.  But churches, which have become largely empty in Europe anyway, cannot integrate the Muslim immigrants.  In France, a politician Jean-Marie Le Pen demanded tougher controls against immigration.  But the media then labeled him as a racist and he was badly defeated in the election for president in 2002.  But meanwhile Islam is overtaking the Christian French culture, as the mosques are more vibrant than the churches in France now.  In 2004, France desperately banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf) girls in state schools.

The EU removed most internal border patrols, so people now flow freely from one country into the next, such as from Austria into Germany.  The Muslim influx has been particularly high.  In past centuries, churches would play a central role in integrating the immigrants into the local activities and culture.  But churches, which have become largely empty in Europe anyway, cannot integrate the Muslim immigrants.  In France, a politician Jean-Marie Le Pen demanded tougher controls against immigration.  But the media then labeled him as a racist and he was badly defeated in the election for president in 2002.  But meanwhile Islam is overtaking the Christian French culture, as the mosques are more vibrant than the churches in France now.  In 2004, France desperately banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf) girls in state schools.

Many European nations now face the controversy of whether to allow women to wear the Muslim coverings.  In late 2006, the Dutch government announced its plan to ban Muslim head coverings in all public places.  In Germany, many teachers are forbidden from wearing the hijab.  A Belgian town banned the burqa (full-body covering) and niqab (a veil that covers only the face) entirely from its streets.  In Britain, schools can fire teachers for wearing face-coverings. Even in the Muslim country of Turkey, its military rulers have banned any wearing of the Muslim veil in public buildings since the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the modern Republic of Turkey.

Many European nations now face the controversy of whether to allow women to wear the Muslim coverings.  In late 2006, the Dutch government announced its plan to ban Muslim head coverings in all public places.  In Germany, many teachers are forbidden from wearing the hijab.  A Belgian town banned the burqa (full-body covering) and niqab (a veil that covers only the face) entirely from its streets.  In Britain, schools were allowed fire teachers for wearing face-coverings. Even in the Muslim country of Turkey, its military rulers have banned any wearing of the Muslim veil in public buildings since the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the modern Republic of Turkey.

Liberals are alarmed by this Muslim clothing because they frustrate the liberal desire to create a secular, atheistic society.  It becomes difficult to complain about a cross somewhere when women are wearing burqas in glaring display of their faith.  Also, some feminists object to the burqa as discriminatory towards women, subjugating them to an inferior position in society.  Only in the sanctuary of the home do Muslim women remove their coverings.

Liberals are alarmed by this Muslim clothing because they frustrate the liberal desire to create a secular, atheistic society.  It becomes difficult to complain about a cross somewhere when women are wearing burqas in glaring display of their faith.  Also, some feminists object to the burqa as discriminatory towards women, subjugating them to an inferior position in society.  Only in the sanctuary of the home do Muslim women remove their coverings.

   

   

In the United States, the largest group of immigrants is from Mexico, and they are pouring into Catholic churches.  For example, Catholics comprise less than 10% of Utah’s population, which is predominantly Mormon, but an influx of immigrants from Mexico is boosting church attendance there.  But much of this immigration is illegal, and has created a subculture of 12 million people – close to 5% of the American population – that is not even supposed to be here.  Illegal immigrants are winning robotics science competitions and garnering top prizes at universities.  Many become self-employed due to the laws making it a crime for companies to hire them as employees.  Congress proposed creating a “guest worker” policy that would allow the illegal immigrants to stay.  President Bush has promised to build a fence to stem the tide of illegal immigration, but he never seems to get around to it.  Those caught for illegal immigration are typically returned to Mexico, only to return again illegally to the United States.  Some have gone back and forth over a dozen times.  Public schools welcome illegal immigrants, and some come here to obtain free benefits like schooling and medical care.

In the United States, the largest group of immigrants is from Mexico, and they are pouring into Catholic churches.  For example, Catholics comprise less than 10% of Utah’s population, which is predominantly Mormon, but an influx of immigrants from Mexico is boosting church attendance there.  But much of this immigration is illegal, and has created a subculture of 12 million people – close to 5% of the American population – that is not even supposed to be here.  Illegal immigrants are winning robotics science competitions and garnering top prizes at universities.  Many become self-employed due to the laws making it a crime for companies to hire them as employees.  Congress proposed creating a “guest worker” policy that would allow the illegal immigrants to stay.  President Bush said he would build a fence to stem the tide of illegal immigration, yet much of the promised fence was never built.  Those caught for illegal immigration are typically returned to Mexico, only to return again illegally to the United States.  Some have gone back and forth over a dozen times.  Public schools welcome illegal immigrants, and some come here to obtain free benefits like schooling and medical care.  Some heinous crimes and also fatal car accidents, perhaps due to a lack of an ability to read English signs or understand traffic patterns, have been caused by illegal immigrants.

There has also been much migration within a same country.  In developing countries, migration from rural areas to big cities caused huge increases in city population, and tons of pollution.  Mexico City has become one of the most populated cities in the world from this type of migration.  In developed countries like the United States, there is substantial migration in the opposite direction, from the city to the countryside, where it is easier to raise a family.

There has also been much migration within a same country.  In developing countries, migration from rural areas to big cities caused huge increases in city population, and tons of pollution.  Mexico City has become one of the most populated cities in the world from this type of migration.  In developed countries like the United States, there is substantial migration in the opposite direction, from the city to the countryside, where it is easier to raise a family.