The attack yesterday morning in France was horrific; death is never easy for the families left behind, but so much the more when the cause is murder – targeted, bloody murder. We join in prayer for the people of France, especially for the families of those who perished and for the wounded and traumatized survivors. Like all victims of violence, they will experience grief, anger and confusion.

Attacks such as this one compel us to re-examine our commitment to fundamental freedoms, especially freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press. Are there limits to the freedoms that we affirm in Canada? Should there be limits? Radical Islam tests the depth of our commitment to freedom.

In France, where previous incidents and threats of violence have made it difficult for civil authorities to maintain peace and public safety, it is even more challenging to retain individual freedoms.

For more background, including the fact that the targeted French newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, was already under police protection, watch this video interview by Sun News.

While yesterday’s attack was shocking, the warning signs have pointed in this direction for some time. There have been many incidents of violence in France and countless threats over the past few years. Columnist Barbara Kay addressed this trend in a National Post article entitled “Paris attack represents Islamist hate that knows no boundaries”. She concluded with this:

“The mainstream politicians will make promises, but it will be too little too late. Paris is burning, but all of Europe is breathing the carbon monoxide of Islamism. Anyone who thinks it can’t happen here is a fool.”

There is a natural reaction that wants justice, even revenge; some might go in this direction in response, but this is not what we ought to do nor encourage. God has given the sacred trust of civil justice to the civil authority; we may be frustrated with the process or the pace but we must remember that God has delegated that responsibility to the civil government. We must not yield to anarchy even when challenged by terror.

Our own civil government representatives – Prime Minister Harper, and the Leader of the Opposition, Thomas Mulcair, along with leaders of other countries such as Great Britain and the USA have condemned these actions, but what about the leaders of Islamic States? Many of them, along with some Islamic organizations, have expressed solidarity with France but also displayed concern that there could be a backlash against Muslims in Europe. This is a very real fear and calls for caution and restraint. How does a government help the general populace feel protected while knowing full well the threat of violence and mayhem? The perpetrators have no respect for law and order and no respect for other persons. No moral compass prevents them from behaving like savages.

Let’s not be fools by thinking that attacks from radical Islamists could not happen here, and also that countries such as ours are beyond the reach of retaliation. But when government acts, it is essential that it is to curtail violence and anarchy, not the fundamental freedoms so essential to our democratic civilization.

Let us remember that justice and revenge are different. We seek justice, not revenge. To encourage revenge is to become what we are opposed to.

No comprehensive response has yet been offered by the Canadian Islamic community. Until the ‘moderates’ show that they are able to work with Canadians toward a solution to their violent co-religionists, then a moratorium on immigration from countries where such violence is promoted is a necessary first step to reducing future risk to Canadians.

CHP Canada condemns the attack in Paris. We offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and our prayers for the recovery and healing of those wounded in this tragic attack.