Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Nira · 12-04-2002, 02:05 AM

<a href="http://www.secularism.org.uk/freethink_1_12_02.htm" target="_blank">http://www.secularism.org.uk/freethink_1_12_02.htm</a>

Quote:

The European Commission (the EU's civil service) is on the brink of creating a third 'super directorate', devoted exclusively to religious affairs. In theory it will be of equal rank to the other two, Economic Affairs and Foreign Affairs, to which all the Commission's current activities will report. How much power it has in practice, remains to be seen.

This information was given by Dr Michael Weninger during a talk at a seminar held by the University of Newcastle on 29 October primarily attended by lawyers interested in furthering formal religious influence in the EU. Reporting directly to EU President Romano Prodi on religious matters, Dr Weninger is a policy advisor at the Commission. He is a senior diplomat with a theology degree and comes from a Roman Catholic background. He assured me that this has no bearing on the way he approaches his job, in which he says he takes seriously the need to be even handed.

<a href="http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?aid=8621" target="_blank">http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?aid=8621</a>

Quote:

In a speech on the Convention to religious leaders yesterday, Commissioner Vitorino described churches and religions as the "guardians of values", providing spiritual guidance and essential welfare services.

"It is undeniable that religious institutions have a crucial role in the everyday life of individuals. That role has to be preserved and nurtured by European institutions," he said. The Commissioner added that the Convention provided the opportunity and the duty to examine the issues of concern to the religious community.

avalanche:ix · 12-04-2002, 03:33 AM

us europeans rarely hear anything about EU policies, simply because it's influence on our lives is next to neglible, we're a confederation of loose states, we never agree, and we all have our own set of laws, i can't see most of the more developed countries within the union taking things such as this very seriously.

Just Another Infidel · 12-04-2002, 09:18 AM

Quote:

avalanche:ix

us europeans rarely hear anything about EU policies, simply because it's influence on our lives is next to neglible, we're a confederation of loose states, we never agree, and we all have our own set of laws, i can't see most of the more developed countries within the union taking things such as this very seriously.

Regardless, I suggest you do anything you can to prevent this from happening. Suppose the EU actually develops real influence on your lives sometime in the future? Would you want a Religious Affairs directorate influencing European policies in any manner?

Godless Dave · 12-04-2002, 10:40 AM

More importantly, do you want your tax dollars going to this directorate?

Per · 12-04-2002, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Suppose the EU actually develops real influence on your lives sometime in the future? Would you want a Religious Affairs directorate influencing European policies in any manner?

Ah well, I'm not too worried. I hardly think it'll be a big deal one way or the other.

Grumpy · 12-04-2002, 02:56 PM

To say nothing of the controversy over including "God" in the <a href="http://www.irishabroad.com/news/worldnews/olstory.asp?article=1893703" target="_blank">EU constitution</a>.

Quote:

"In a pluralist and secular society," he said, a constitutional reference to God "provides a firewall against totalitarianism."

Those wacky bishops.

[ December 04, 2002: Message edited by: Grumpy ]</p>

Prodros · 12-04-2002, 11:51 PM

From my point of view (as an expatriate of Finland), even if there will be a Religious Affairs directorate within the EU, I doubt that it will have much of an influence for the member states. Simply given the variety (and the prevalence) of religions within the EU, I don't see any new policy changing the matter.

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12-04-2002, 03:33 AM	#2
avalanche:ix Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sin Capital, earth: (Amsterdam) Posts: 104	us europeans rarely hear anything about EU policies, simply because it's influence on our lives is next to neglible, we're a confederation of loose states, we never agree, and we all have our own set of laws, i can't see most of the more developed countries within the union taking things such as this very seriously.

12-04-2002, 10:40 AM	#4
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	More importantly, do you want your tax dollars going to this directorate?

12-04-2002, 11:51 PM	#7
Prodros Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 70	From my point of view (as an expatriate of Finland), even if there will be a Religious Affairs directorate within the EU, I doubt that it will have much of an influence for the member states. Simply given the variety (and the prevalence) of religions within the EU, I don't see any new policy changing the matter.

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