WE ARE IN A RELIGIOUS WAR—A WAR OF FAITH

October 16, 2025

Clearly we cannot speak of wars whose sole motivation is religion, because in every war all kinds of motivations are involved. But history certainly offers us a good number of wars for which religion has been the primary pretext. In the war currently unfolding—with Gaza at its epicenter—the religious factor plays a decisive role. Starting with Israel, the most agnostic and immoral actor among those involved in this war. We cannot dismiss the possibility that the enormous arrogance with which they are acting is fueled by their belief in being the people chosen by God, who promised them—some 3,000 years ago—the land they are fighting for. And they make no effort to hide the fact that this is written in the Bible—not even the atheist Netanyahu, nor the other members of the government.

Let us not forget that almost since the very existence of the State of Israel, successive governments have been formed thanks to the most radical religious parties. These parties have not succeeded in instilling any degree of religiosity in either the government or civil society; yet they have earned a nearly superstitious respect that ensures Israel does not fall into the kind of absurd religious persecution we are experiencing in Spain and much of Europe—a persecution of the very religion that built Europe and runs in its veins, even as it is now being vehemently denied in practice. A persecution especially virulent against Catholicism.

We have three religious actors in conflict in the war in Gaza: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in its Protestant form, represented by the United States, which is actually the main player. These are the three “Religions of the Book,” as Muslims say—a unique perspective that, in a certain way, makes them siblings in the eyes of Islam. Although it considers them “infidels,” it softens this label to the mildest degree. This has enabled, throughout history, various levels of understanding and dialogue amid often brutal wars.

Coming back to Gaza, it is not necessary to focus on who started each campaign of the war. It is better to focus on who has the power to end it today—precisely the one who has sustained it from the very beginning. As soon as the United States threatens to withdraw from the war, it extinguishes on its own, like a candle that has run out of wax, or an oil lamp that has no more oil. It is evident that this is an alliance between Christians (the U.S.) and Jews (Israel) against the Palestinians (Muslims). It is also evident that the U.S. and Israel have essentially acted as a single block, with the U.S. providing economic support, and Israel acting as the executing arm (with full operational military support from the U.S. when needed).

When we focus on the religious engine of this conflict, we see the major differentiating factor between the three religions at play. There is no doubt that Gaza, Palestine, and the Arab countries in general are deeply religious peoples, who tend toward forming theocracies (some already are) because they do not separate civic (political) duties from religious ones. For Muslims, all behavior must be inspired by the law of the Qur’an.

The first result of this is the disappearance of hypocrisy (and schizophrenia, in the best of cases), which occurs in countries governed by two sources of law and morality: public civil law on the political level, and religious law that is totally individual and private. These laws and norms often blatantly contradict one another, so that in the West—in Christian countries and in the only Jewish country—politics ends up prevailing, at the expense of religion, and therefore of morality. Muslim politicians, on the other hand, do not need to divide their loyalty between the Qur’an and a Constitution, since the latter cannot override the former. This allows them to be whole and consistent in their political identity.

As a result, civil society operates with much clearer ideas, and without the contradictions that lead to social paralysis, various degrees of immorality, and ultimately demoralization in the face of any struggle. That is why, from the outset, Muslim countries have much more battle-ready populations, much more willing to go to war to defend their way of life—that is, their faith and religion. Nothing like the enormous difficulties faced by Israel (where religious extremists refuse to take up arms!) or the United States, riddled with fentanyl addiction. And we won’t even mention Europe: in Ukraine, for example—an Orthodox Christian country—there are enormous difficulties in recruiting soldiers. The exodus of military-aged men is scandalous. Nor do the European countries, so eager to help Ukraine, have any clear idea of how to find soldiers. Because when it comes to creed, to morals and morality, the European citizenry has nothing to defend; and therefore, no one wants to go to war. It’s a different story for the politicians and leaders, who play in another league.

In the end, it won’t be religion, not even culture, that will move the European masses to mobilize for their own survival. As Muammar Gaddafi said: “We have 50 million Muslims in Europe. There are signs that Allah will grant Islam victory in Europe without swords, without guns, without conquest. Europe will become a Muslim continent within a few decades.”

And so, while Europeans entertain themselves by denying their soul, renouncing their roots, feeling ashamed of their history, and persecuting the last witnesses of the Christian faith that made them free, the peoples who still believe, who still pray, who still educate their children in divine law, march forward steadily toward the spiritual conquest of the continent. It will not be an invasion with tanks or missiles, but with cradles, mosques, and convictions. Because those who believe in nothing defend nothing. And those who defend nothing are doomed to be defeated.

Europe has ceased to be Christian not because the cross was taken from it, but because it voluntarily cast it to the ground. And now, as in the days of the invasions following the fall of the Roman Empire, the West is preparing to welcome its new rulers—not by force, but by abandonment. Islam is not conquering; it is occupying the void left by a civilization that has renounced itself. And while the shepherds remain silent, the politicians legislate against faith, against human nature itself, and the youth lose themselves in indulgence, the new Europeans pray five times a day, educate their children in the law of Allah, and prepare to inherit what we have scorned.

This is not a clash of civilizations, but an unconditional surrender. And when we awaken—if we awaken—it will be only to discover that we are no longer masters of our land, our customs, or our souls. Because while we were ashamed of Christ, others took pride in Allah and his prophet. While we demolished and sold churches, they built mosques. While we aborted our children, they received theirs with joy and raised them in the faith. And when we want to recover what we’ve lost, there will be nothing left to recover. Then it will be too late for regrets, too late for speeches, too late for reforms. Because history does not wait for the faint-hearted. And Europe, once the beacon of Christian civilization, will be swept away by the tide of its own apostasy. It will not be Islam’s fault, nor Gaddafi’s, nor the immigrants’. It will be our fault—for having betrayed God, for having renounced our faith, for having chosen pleasure over the cross, forgetfulness over memory, spiritual death over eternal life. We are indeed in a religious war—but above all, in a war of faith. And those who do not believe, do not fight. And those who do not fight, lose.
That simple. That tragic. That just.

Father Custodio Ballester Bielsa
www.sacerdotesporlavida.info