> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On > Behalf Of The Fool
... > For while there are many values on which believers and non-believers can > agree � democracy, freedom of expression, freedom from torture and other > degrading treatment � it is not the case that all elements of Christian > morality are either universal or uncontentious. The churches' teachings > on contraception, abortion and homosexuality are unacceptable to many of > us, who would like to see religious thinkers have less influence, not > more, on matters of social policy. Which churches? I think that perhaps the author meant the Church, as in Church of Rome, since it has among the most conservative teachings in these areas. There are plenty of churches and Christians -- and Roman Catholics! -- who disagree with those teachings. And many who believe that far too much emphasis is placed on them, when the centerpieces of Christianity are love, forgiveness and compassion. > That is why the EU's secular values, which create a balance between the > rights of believers and non-believers, must be defended. They are > inclusive, focusing on those ideals the vast majority of us agree on, > instead of what divides us. It would be madness at this point in history, > when religion is as disruptive a force as it ever was, to create an > unnecessary dispute within the EU about the existence or otherwise of > God. Amen! Nick _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
