Belgium has a particular personal interest for me. Many of my past co-workers and managers lived in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Belgians are highly skilled and educated, and very internationally savvy due to their strategic location in Europe. Belgium is the capital of the EU and NATO headquarters. I am also a little partial to Antwerp Belgium diamonds, the so-called diamond capital of the world.
But there are many differences between Belgium and the United States. Religion is largely irrelevant for Belgians. Most don’t even think about God. Over 30% are non-religious or atheist. The Catholic church is in rapid decline, with only 7% attending mass, and in some areas it is as low as 1%. The Bible was banned by the Catholic church prior to 1960, and it is just now being reintroduced.
My co-workers would often speak of violence as just being a way of life in Belgium. It is a very divided nation, and there wasn’t much evidence of hope. There are centuries of blood and violence spilled on Belgium soil. And even though it has a strong economy, jobs and opportunities are minimal. Pray that the Bible will once again emerge as a beacon of hope and truth to this country.
