In Sweden, a Christian couple is going through a nightmare that captures the growing bias and targeting of religious families in Europe. Daniel and Bianca Samson have been fighting to regain custody of their daughters since 2022 after the government cited their regular church attendance and faith as warranting their removal.
The parents, with the help of the Alliance Defending Freedom International, were delivered another blow after the European Court of Human Rights refused to accept their appeal as “inadmissible.”
This saga began when their eldest daughter had a fight with her parents over being denied a smartphone and makeup. She contacted police and made a false report of abuse.
However, Sara, quickly retracted the allegation and police found no evidence of abuse. Nevertheless, the state took both girls — aged 10 and 11 at the time –and refused to allow them to return home.
The government alleged that they found evidence of “religious extremism” and, according to ADF, cited the family’s habit of attending church three times a week. It also cited strict religious upbringing in the home. In the United States, the findings would be glaring violations of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. In Sweden, it is a viable basis for taking away your children.
So these girls want to go home and the parents want to restore their family. The Swedish government and courts refuse to allow it.
They are still separated after the parents successfully completed state-mandated parenting courses. They also were denied requests to move the girls into foster homes in Romania, where they live. The Swedish Supreme Court refused to hear the case last year, but the European Court of Human Rights said that they had failed “to exhaust legal remedies in Sweden.”
Now, according to the ADF International, the government is moving to place the girls up for adoption.
The children have moved from foster home to foster home, including allegedly one placement that resulted in one of the girl’s suffering physical and mental health issues. She ultimately tried to commit suicide, according to the family.
I have only found articles attesting to the removal on the grounds of the family’s religious faith and practices. The implications are chilling if true. This family appears to have done everything demanded of them as their daughters begged to return home.
It is a case worthy of inquiry by the Administration in defense of religious liberty.
False allegations are an inescapable fact of life. But the last half century has seen the erosion of the common sense that previously provided restraint to the exercise of government authority. The discretion of the beat cop, the wisdom of the supervisor, the judiciousness of the prosecutor, have been undermined by dogmatic ideologies (academic, social, political) which, in the hands of dullards and cowards, produce unimaginable nightmares.
Agree, PT.
I’m amazed at how little has been said in comments about European values illustrated by this case
How Swedish citizens could let their country degrade to the point where children can be removed from good homes, just because of the peaceful and private practice of religion, is beyond me.
One thing is for sure. Had this been a Muslim family, the courts would have ruled for the family to deflect from being accused of Islamophobia.
It’s only Christians and Jews who are now restricted from the free practice of their religion in Europe.
If the Professor gets the US GOVERNMENT to take this issue, he has some serious pull…
“The resilience of Israelis under constant attack from rockets and drones is amazing. They are still the eighth happiest nation in the world. While sirens are blaring, they protect Arab children. Under constant pressures, they fund events for orphans, conduct life-saving research, fight cancer, and transplant organs. Women command missile boats, and even soldiers with disabilities are eager to enlist. While rockets fall and drones explode, Israelis embark on projects to turn seawater into drinking water, generate renewable energy, construct buildings more efficiently, and explore the universe. Meanwhile, their efforts attract huge amounts of foreign investment to continue the incredible work of the Startup Nation.” – Michael Ordman
Psalm 59:16: “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble”. rsk