Europe debates about God

In trying to come to wording, inclusions and exclusions in a new European Union constitution, there is a growing debate over whether any reference to God should be included. From an article about it:

"I think there's an embarrassment to admitting to religious belief in our modern culture," said John Bruton, a former Irish prime minister and a member of the presidium.

Mr. Bruton said he supported the text that speaks of God as a "source of truth" because it would apply, he said, to the three major monotheistic religions in Europe.


the NYT article is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/05/international/europe/05EURO.html

(note: these articles do not stay accessible forever to non-paying viewers. If you want it, copy the page onto a Word doc)

As I read the article this morning, the sarcastic side of me wondered if they had any clue at all that there would be a time when God would judge THEM, as to whether any one of them should be included or excluded...

The historic side of me felt deeply saddened, knowing that all of European progress in the past had been a result of dependence upon God -- and His honoring of that. It is, in fact, only in those countries that broke away from the Catholic church (for whatever reason!) that we see the greatest advances in science and social welfare and economy -- note England and Germany -- in the last 500 years. (This is well documented in Pearcey and Thaxton's "Soul of Science" as well as many other places)

This official marginalizing of God can only be seen as a threat to believing Christians (read Baptists, there, for from what I understand that is the designation used in many places, especially Eastern Europe, for what we consider born again believers) in their ability to pass on the faith to their children and share it with others.

Already in one Australian state (Victoria) as well as in at least one European country (I forget which), if any discussion you have with anyone -- even in your own home -- is offensive to anyone else, the person claiming to be offended can have you brought to court where you are guilty until proven innocent and risk either a jail sentence or fine or both.

Hard times are coming on fast now...