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[[File:Gotthard-basistunnel02-hannes-ortlieb.jpg|thumb|The Gotthard Base Tunnel]]

[[File:Gotthard-basistunnel02-hannes-ortlieb.jpg|thumb|The Gotthard Base Tunnel]]

'''Gotthard Base Tunnel''' runs 57 kilometers (around 35 miles) through the [[Swiss Alps]], and it opened on June 1, 2016.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/15/joyous-swiss-celebrate-longest-tunnel-breakthrough/ Joyous Swiss celebrate longest tunnel breakthrough], ''The Washington Times'' (from the Associated Press), October 15, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250 Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland]. ''BBC''. June 1, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> As of its opening, it is the longest tunnel in the world. The tunnel was a part of the [[AlpTransit]] program, which sought to improve rail travel speeds from the north to south and advance European integration.<ref>[https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/ AlpTransit: Overview]. ''alptransit-portal.ch''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>Barrow, Keith (June 15, 2016). [http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/gotthard-base-tunnel-the-final-straight.html Gotthard Base Tunnel: the final straight]. ''railjournal.com''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

'''Gotthard Base Tunnel''' runs 57 kilometers (around 35 miles) through the [[Swiss Alps]], and it opened on June 1, 2016.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/15/joyous-swiss-celebrate-longest-tunnel-breakthrough/ Joyous Swiss celebrate longest tunnel breakthrough], ''The Washington Times'' (from the Associated Press), October 15, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250 Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland]. ''BBC''. June 1, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> As of its opening, it is the longest tunnel in the world. The tunnel was a part of the [[AlpTransit]] program, which sought to improve rail travel speeds from the north to south and advance European integration.<ref>[https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/ AlpTransit: Overview]. ''alptransit-portal.ch''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>Barrow, Keith (June 15, 2016). [http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/gotthard-base-tunnel-the-final-straight.html Gotthard Base Tunnel: the final straight]. ''railjournal.com''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

The Gotthard Base Tunnel started normal operations on December 11, 2016.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/hurtling-into-history_first-full-day-of-service-for-gotthard-rail-tunnel/42753636 First full day of service for Gotthard rail tunnel]. ''Swissinfo''. December 11, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref> In its first eight months of normal operations, north-south passenger traffic increased by about 30%.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/railway-travel_gotthard-rail-tunnel-boosts-north-south-traffic-by-a-third/43382304 Gotthard rail tunnel boosts north-south traffic by a third]. ''Swissinfo''. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.</ref>

The Gotthard Base Tunnel started normal operations on December 11, 2016.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/hurtling-into-history_first-full-day-of-service-for-gotthard-rail-tunnel/42753636 First full day of service for Gotthard rail tunnel]. ''Swissinfo''. December 11, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref> In its first eight months of normal operations, north-south passenger traffic increased by about 30%.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/railway-travel_gotthard-rail-tunnel-boosts-north-south-traffic-by-a-third/43382304 Gotthard rail tunnel boosts north-south traffic by a third]. ''Swissinfo''. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.</ref>

*{{cite web | title=World Agog at Bizarre Gotthard Base Tunnel Opening | url=http://www.thelocal.ch/20160601/world-agog-at-bizarre-gotthard-base-tunnel-opening | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[The Local]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | title=World Agog at Bizarre Gotthard Base Tunnel Opening | url=http://www.thelocal.ch/20160601/world-agog-at-bizarre-gotthard-base-tunnel-opening | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[The Local]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | last1=McLelland | first1=Euan | last2=Robinson | first2=Julian | title=A Winged Baby, Semi-Naked Dancers and a Man With a Bird's Nest on His Head: How Switzerland Decided to Mark Opening of World's Longest Rail Tunnel | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3620446/A-winged-baby-semi-naked-dancers-man-bird-s-nest-head-Switzerland-decided-mark-opening-world-s-longest-rail-tunnel.html | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | last1=McLelland | first1=Euan | last2=Robinson | first2=Julian | title=A Winged Baby, Semi-Naked Dancers and a Man With a Bird's Nest on His Head: How Switzerland Decided to Mark Opening of World's Longest Rail Tunnel | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3620446/A-winged-baby-semi-naked-dancers-man-bird-s-nest-head-Switzerland-decided-mark-opening-world-s-longest-rail-tunnel.html | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*'''Warning! Articles contain graphic and disturbing images.'''</ref> The ceremony included topless women, actors wearing only underwear, simulated lesbian sex, and other disturbing acts.<ref name="Breitbart">Ruse, Austin (June 7, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/06/07/opening-swiss-tunnel-may-stupid-isnt-satanic/ Swiss Tunnel Opening Ceremony Draws Cries of ‘Satanic’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref><ref name="WND">Hohmann, Leo (June 6, 2016). [http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/new-tunnel-christened-by-bizarre-demonic-ceremony/ New tunnel unveiled in bizarre 'demonic' ceremony]. ''WND''. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref>

*'''Warning! Articles contain graphic and disturbing images.'''</ref> The ceremony included topless women, actors wearing only underwear, simulated lesbian sex, and other disturbing acts.<ref name="Breitbart">Ruse, Austin (June 7, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/06/07/opening-swiss-tunnel-may-stupid-isnt-satanic/ Swiss Tunnel Opening Ceremony Draws Cries of ‘Satanic’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref><ref name="WND">Hohmann, Leo (June 6, 2016). [http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/new-tunnel-christened-by-bizarre-demonic-ceremony/ New tunnel unveiled in bizarre 'demonic' ceremony]. ''WND''. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref>

While the ceremony was intended to represent pagan Swiss Alpine culture, numerous people, very understandably, considered whether the ceremony was satanic or demonic due to the close parallels with satanic worship in the ceremony.<ref name="WND"/> While it does not appear that the ceremony was consciously intended to be satanic or demonic,<ref name="Breitbart"/> such fears were completely understandable and legitimate due to the graphic sexual and pagan references. Even if the ceremony was not intended to be evil, it was very disturbing and not Christian-influenced. It fit very well with the overall spiritual state of Europe.

While the ceremony was intended to represent pagan Swiss Alpine culture, numerous people, very understandably, considered whether the ceremony was satanic or demonic due to the close parallels with satanic worship in the ceremony.<ref name="WND"/> While it does not appear that the ceremony was consciously intended to be satanic or demonic,<ref name="Breitbart"/> such fears were completely understandable and legitimate due to the graphic sexual and pagan references. Even if the ceremony was not intended to be evil, it was very disturbing and not Christian-influenced. It fit very well with the overall spiritual state of Europe.