The horrific attacks in Paris should force us to ask hard questions about elements within Islam in Europe, questions mainstream leaders have tried hard to avoid. All too often such questions have been labeled Islamophobic or racist. The threat from radical Muslims has often even been relativized by organizations specializing in intercultural dialogue. In my own country of Sweden, the transition to a more pluralistic and religiously diverse society has led to increasing tension over religion. The majority of victims of anti-religious crimes in Sweden are Muslims and mosques, which have rightly received media coverage and support from politicians. But there has been little corresponding engagement concerning Christian victims.
According to recent numbers from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, hate crimes with Christophobic motives have increased sharply in Sweden. In fact, hate crimes against Christians and churches have tripled in the past five years, making it the sharpest rise of hate crimes in Sweden. Compared to 2013, the number of reported crimes has increased 76 percent. But only recently have crimes against Christians started to receive media attention. Around 330 hate crimes against Christians were reported in Sweden last year (2014). Forty-nine percent were graffiti/vandalism of churches and parish houses and 35 percent were threats/harassment.
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