Review article
https://doi.org/10.34075/sb.61.2.2
Migrants and refugees: bearers of life or death?
Darko Rapić
Šimun Bilokapić
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split
Abstract
Europe has been wrestling with itself in recent decades. The cultural changes that have taken place have shaken its identity significantly, and adherence to fundamental principles and values has faced a new challenge. New anthropological paradigms arising from postmodernism have influenced the oblivion of Christian roots and truths, which have largely determined the direction of the development of European culture. Consequently, Europe as we know it is dying. The main purpose of this paper is to see the relationship between the dying of Europe and the migration crisis. It is not about death (and life) as a biological process, but more about a philosophical-theological observation of “dying “and “reviving “of all that is European, Christian, human ... On the basis of the observation of today's most important cultural features of Europe and religious truths of Christianity and Islam, especially on the understanding of life and death, we will answer the question of whether migrants and refugees are the bearers of life or death on the European continent. Being careful not to idealize immigrants as saviours of Europe, but also not to demonize them as the only culprits of Europe's decline, we will try to see if a positive attitude towards them can provide an essential precondition for fruitful integration. Europe's life or death depends on itself, and migrants and refugees can contribute to both realities. Yet for Christians there is an obligation of love, and we must not forget that it has the power to revive and change.
Keywords
life; death; refugees; migrants; migration crisis; Europe; Islam; culture; Christian values; solidarity; love; hospitality
Hrčak ID:
258246
URI
Publication date:
6.6.2021.
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