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Angela Merkel, who as German Chancellor will preside over the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Treaty of Rome, in cooperation with the Vatican, is drafting a "Berlin Declaration" - reportedly to be a Charter of traditional values that she sees as spearheading her avowed attempt to reintroduce Christian values into the European Constitution.
"I underlined my opinion that we need a European identity in the form of a constitutional treaty and I think it should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way.“ She is planning a "Berlin Declaration", claiming that Europe is based on Christian values.
“The Vision for Europe campaign is a response by Europe’s secularists to increasing polarisation in Europe. Faced with the growing assertiveness of radical Islam, many religious leaders are attempting to reassert Europe’s supposed “Judeo-Christian” identity. We must not confuse our history with our identity.
The question as to the future of Europe and its "Christian" (read, Catholic) roots, was the subject of a 45 minute discussion between the leader of Germany--Angela Merkel--and pope Benedict XVI during this past week.
She said afterwards that the talks had been (quote) "very intense." She said that they discussed the Middle East, Iran and Europe. They also spoke about religion. According to press reports, Merkel said:
Christian heritage Poland is meanwhile set to reignite the debate on a reference to the union's Christian heritage in the EU constitution - now proposing to include "God" in the anniversary declaration. "We support chancellor Merkel's proposal for a reference to Christianity in the declaration. We think that is very good and we hope this will be realised," Polish sherpa Marek Cichocki told EU observer.
The International Humanist and Ethical Union, European Humanist Federation and Catholics for Free Choice are fighting back with an alternative "Brussels Declaration".
Angela Merkel, who as German Chancellor will preside over the celebrations, in cooperation with the Vatican, is also drafting a "Berlin Declaration" - reportedly to be a Charter of traditional values that she sees as spearheading her avowed attempt to reintroduce Christian values into the European Constitution.
Battle for Europe's secular values The Treaty of Rome - the foundation of the European Union - was signed 50 years ago on 25 March 1957. The anniversary is the background for a major confrontation between those who see Europe as essentially based on Christian values and those who support a secular Europe based on our shared values. The confrontation is encapsulated in plans for two very different declarations proclaiming different values.
Battle for Europe's secular values German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with the help of the churches, is reviving the European constitution - with God included. After a meeting with the Pope, Merkel said "we need a European identity in the form of a constitutional treaty and I think it should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way." She is planning a "Berlin Declaration", claiming that Europe is based on Christian values.
But a constitution that highlights Europe's supposed Judaeo-Christian heritage will only serve to exacerbate cultural differences. Here and elsewhere there are loud demands from religious minorities to codify cultural differences into family law - even to accept Shari'ah law for Muslims. (A recent survey by NOP showed that some 30% of British Muslims would prefer to live under Shari'ah Law. Among young Muslims the percentage was even higher.)
Battle for Europe's secular values By BRITISH HUMANIST ASSOCIATION Added: Sunday, 18 February 2007 at 7:00 PM Thanks to George Hyde for the notification.Here is a message from The British Humanist Association:http://www.humanism.org.ukHelp us defend Europe's secular values from a powerful new threat!German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with the help of the churches, is reviving the European constitution - with God included. After a meeting with the Pope, Merkel said "we need a European identity in the form of a constitutional treaty and I think it should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way." She is planning a "Berlin Declaration", claiming that Europe is based on Christian values.But the International Humanist and Ethical Union, European Humanist Federation and Catholics for Free Choice are fighting back with an alternative "Brussels Declaration".And you can help.David Pollock, BHA trustee and President of the European Humanist Federation, who is closely involved in this important initiative to defend Europe's secular values explains:The Treaty of Rome - the foundation of the European Union - was signed 50 years ago on 25 March 1957. The anniversary is the background for a major confrontation between those who see Europe as essentially based on Christian values and those who support a secular Europe based on our shared values. The confrontation is encapsulated in plans for two very different Declarations proclaiming different values.A Christian Europe?
This threat to western civilization is bound to bring about a reaction sooner or later. And, of course, the so-called "Christian" world, headed up as it is today by the pope and his Vatican, can hardly expect to take it all lying down. So the question as to the future of Europe and its "Christian" (read, Catholic) roots, was the subject of a 45 minute discussion between the leader of Germany--Angela Merkel--and pope Benedict XVI during this past week.
A vote to adopt an EU constitution that had been signed in October of 2004 failed to gain the necessary endorsement--and as we reported at the time in the Bible Magazine, the exclusion of a reference to God or the Catholic Church (i.e. "Christianity") ensured that failure. It was only a matter of time before the constitutional treaty would be re-worded and come back with the pope’s approval. He will then send the appropriate message down through priests to the laity, thus ensuring ratification.Thus a Christian-Catholic Europe, suitably tinted with humanism and socialism will emerge, and in symbolic language the great harlot will be carried by the ten-horned European Beast (Revelation 17:3).
According to a report on euobserver.com "Germany has been assigned by EU member states to come up with some kind of solution to the constitutional crisis during its presidency of the union in the first six months of 2007.“ A vote to adopt an EU constitution that had been signed in October of 2004 failed to gain the necessary endorsement--and as we reported at the time in the Bible Magazine, the exclusion of a reference to God or the Catholic Church (i.e. "Christianity") ensured that failure. It was only a matter of time before the constitutional treaty would be re-worded and come back with the pope’s approval. He will then send the appropriate message down through priests to the laity, thus ensuring ratification.Thus a Christian-Catholic Europe, suitably tinted with humanism and socialism will emerge, and in symbolic language the great harlot will be carried by the ten-horned European Beast (Revelation 17:3).
Battle for Europe's secular values - A Christian Europe?The anniversary is stimulating concerted efforts by the Vatican and other churches in alliance with politicians, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who holds the current six-month presidency of the EU, to revive the project for a European constitution - with God included. After a visit in August to Pope Benedict XVI Merkel said, "we need a European identity in the form of a constitutional treaty and I think it should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way."
She is planning a "Berlin Declaration", a statement of principles to underlie a new European constitution. EU heads of government have naturally been asked to contribute - but so have the churches: Germany's foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told an assembly of church leaders on 15 January: "Churches have a specific role in the European integration process. . . Churches [are] important partners . . .in discussions on common European values and the future of the European integration process." According to a press release from COMECE, the conference of European Roman Catholic bishops: "Steinmeier highlighted [the churches' role] in respect to the Berlin Declaration.“
Incredibly, Steinmeier has warned MEPs not to get involved. According to the EU Observer he told the European Parliament's constitutional affairs committee on 23 January that MEPs will not have any major role in the EU's constitution revival project. He warned them not to try to overshadow Berlin's efforts to revive the EU charter, saying "there is no point if the professionals in Europe are competing with one another for the welfare of Europe's citizens".
The churches - not least in the UK - have recently been attacking "secularism" at the least opportunity, defending their privileges as they lose members. They would welcome an EU constitution that embeds yet more privilege on top of the ready access to the Commission they already enjoy.
She is planning a "Berlin Declaration", a statement of principles to underlie a new European constitution. EU heads of government have naturally been asked to contribute - but so have the churches: Germany's foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told an assembly of church leaders on 15 January: "Churches have a specific role in the European integration process. . . Churches [are] important partners . . .in discussions on common European values and the future of the European integration process." According to a press release from COMECE, the conference of European Roman Catholic bishops: "Steinmeier highlighted [the churches' role] in respect to the Berlin Declaration.“ Incredibly, Steinmeier has warned MEPs not to get involved. According to the EU Observer he told the European Parliament's constitutional affairs committee on 23 January that MEPs will not have any major role in the EU's constitution revival project. He warned them not to try to overshadow Berlin's efforts to revive the EU charter, saying "there is no point if the professionals in Europe are competing with one another for the welfare of Europe's citizens". The churches - not least in the UK - have recently been attacking "secularism" at the least opportunity, defending their privileges as they lose members. They would welcome an EU constitution that embeds yet more privilege on top of the ready access to the Commission they already enjoy. But a constitution that highlights Europe's supposed Judaeo-Christian heritage will only serve to exacerbate cultural differences. Here and elsewhere there are loud demands from religious minorities to codify cultural differences into family law - even to accept Shari'ah law for Muslims. (A recent survey by NOP showed that some 30% of British Muslims would prefer to live under Shari'ah Law. Among young Muslims the percentage was even higher.)
Battle for Europe's secular values A Christian Europe?The anniversary is stimulating concerted efforts by the Vatican and other churches in alliance with politicians, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who holds the current six-month presidency of the EU, to revive the project for a European constitution - with God included.After a visit in August to Pope Benedict XVI Merkel said, "we need a European identity in the form of a constitutional treaty and I think it should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way."She is planning a "Berlin Declaration", a statement of principles to underlie a new European constitution. EU heads of government have naturally been asked to contribute - but so have the churches: Germany's foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told an assembly of church leaders on 15 January: "Churches have a specific role in the European integration process. . . Churches [are] important partners . . .in discussions on common European values and the future of the European integration process." According to a press release from COMECE, the conference of European Roman Catholic bishops: "Steinmeier highlighted [the churches' role] in respect to the Berlin Declaration."Incredibly, Steinmeier has warned MEPs not to get involved. According to the EU Observer he told the European Parliament's constitutional affairs committee on 23 January that MEPs will not have any major role in the EU's constitution revival project. He warned them not to try to overshadow Berlin's efforts to revive the EU charter, saying "there is no point if the professionals in Europe are competing with one another for the welfare of Europe's citizens".The churches - not least in the UK - have recently been attacking "secularism" at the least opportunity, defending their privileges as they lose members. They would welcome an EU constitution that embeds yet more privilege on top of the ready access to the Commission they already enjoy.But a constitution that highlights Europe's supposed Judaeo-Christian heritage will only serve to exacerbate cultural differences. Here and elsewhere there are loud demands from religious minorities to codify cultural differences into family law - even to accept Shari'ah law for Muslims. (A recent survey by NOP showed that some 30% of British Muslims would prefer to live under Shari'ah Law. Among young Muslims the percentage was even higher.)
