France’s War on Christianity: Nativity Scenes Banned While the State Empowers Islam

The administrative court of Nîmes delivered yet another blow to France’s Christian heritage last Friday, ordering the mayor of Beaucaire, Nelson Chaudon, to remove the Provençal nativity scene from the town hall. The charge? A supposed violation of secularism, gleefully pursued by the left-wing Human Rights League (LDH)—an organization that seems to consider any public expression of Christianity an existential threat.

This is not an isolated incident. Across France, nativity scenes and other Christian symbols are being systematically targeted under the guise of upholding secularism. But where is this same fervor when it comes to enforcing secularism against Islamic displays or practices? The LDH, while obsessively targeting nativity scenes, staunchly opposed the ban on abayas in schools—garments that are unambiguously religious and defy the principles of secular education. The hypocrisy is stunning but predictable: Christianity is a soft target because the Left knows it won’t face violent retaliation.

A Clear Double Standard

This is not about secularism; it’s about cultural annihilation. France’s so-called defenders of “equality” have turned their sights on Christianity while turning a blind eye to the growing dominance of Islam in public life. From halal-only menus in schools to accommodating Islamic prayer rooms in universities, the French government and its leftist allies bend over backward to appease Muslims. Yet when it comes to a simple nativity scene—a harmless symbol of France’s rich cultural and religious history—they wield the law like a sledgehammer.

This must be recognized as the weapon it truly is: the illusion of fairness toward other cultures, designed to strip France of its identity in every possible way.

Nelson Chaudon’s defiance is not just courageous—it’s necessary. Facing a €1,000 daily fine for keeping the nativity scene, he stood his ground, consulting his constituents. Unsurprisingly, the people of Beaucaire voted overwhelmingly—98% in favor—to preserve their tradition. But why should he have to fight this battle at all? Why are French mayors forced to navigate a labyrinth of legal challenges just to maintain symbols of their own heritage?

A Battle Against France’s Identity

The Council of State’s ambiguous rulings on the legality of nativity scenes only deepen the issue. The 1905 law on secularism, originally designed to ensure state neutrality, is now weaponized to marginalize Christianity while Islamic practices flourish unchecked. This is no accident—it’s a deliberate effort to reshape France’s identity.

The LDH’s actions epitomize this betrayal. Their obsession with eradicating nativity scenes starkly contrasts with their silence—or outright support—when it comes to public Islamic displays. This double standard reveals the true agenda: erase France’s Christian roots while normalizing the visible rise of Islam in public spaces.

A Tradition Under Siege

Nativity scenes are not mere decorations; they are a cherished part of French heritage, particularly in regions like Provence, where they have been celebrated for centuries. These nativity scenes) emerged during the French Revolution as a way for families to privately honor their faith when public displays of Christianity were outlawed. Today, the fight to keep them alive is a fight to preserve that heritage against a government and judiciary that is intent on destroying it.

Mayors like Charles Aslangul of Bry-sur-Marne have found legal workarounds, moving their nativity scenes to public spaces outside town halls. Others, like Robert Ménard of Béziers, Steeve Briois of Hénin-Beaumont, and Louis Aliot of Perpignan, who relocated his scene to a chalet on Place de la Loge, have followed suit. Aliot even remarked that the move made the display “even more visible.”

👍🇫🇷 C’est gagné ! Le pessebre de Perpignan reste à sa place ! Par une ordonnance rendue ce jour, le TA de Montpellier a rejeté le recours formé par @LDH_Fr (Ligue des Droits de l’homme) contre le Pessebre (crèche catalane) exposé à la mairie sur sa place et à sa place ! 🎄 pic.twitter.com/lckxHC1wXu

— Louis Aliot (@louis_aliot) December 18, 2024

While these solutions are clever, they showcase a grim reality: Christian traditions are now relegated to the margins, even in their own homeland, while Islam is given free rein to expand its influence.

Strong with the Weak, Weak with the Strong

The LDH and its allies in the judiciary embody a perverse cowardice. They target Christians because they know there will be no violent riots, no death threats, no fatwas. Meanwhile, they capitulate to Islam, afraid to enforce the very secularism they claim to defend. This hypocrisy is not just infuriating—it’s calculated. By attacking Christianity and accommodating Islam, they are accelerating the cultural transformation of France into a nation unrecognizable from its roots.

A Call to Action

The battle over Christmas nativity scenes is about far more than decorations—it’s about resisting a relentless effort to erase France’s identity. Christianity is not just a religion; it is the cornerstone of French culture, art, history, and values. Surrendering to those who despise it is a surrender of everything France once stood for.

Nelson Chaudon, Charles Aslangul, Robert Ménard, and others are proving that resistance is possible. Their courage shows that the fight to preserve France’s traditions is far from over, but it will require more than local efforts—it demands a national awakening.

France must decide: Will it allow its Christian heritage to be erased by those who feign neutrality while promoting a radically different cultural agenda? Or will it stand firm, reclaiming its identity and defending the traditions that have defined it for centuries?

This is not just a fight for nativity scenes—it’s a fight for survival. A nation that forgets its roots, that abandons its traditions, is a nation on the brink of destruction. Let us hope the bravery of local leaders inspires a broader resurgence before it’s too late.