Actually, I think that Europe's roots are decidedly pagan!
But I do believe that true democracy *in the West* comes from Christianity and not Athens - was it someone on Insights who pointed that out a few weeks back? I also think that relative freedom between the sexes in Christian circles [brother-sister relations] arises from the value placed on committed and monogamous marriage, as well as belief in 'neither male or female' in the Kingdom of God tenet. I agree with Clare about the EU church leaders' arrogance behind their assertion - and like her, believe that it is certainly unhelpful in evangelising non-Europeans, and probably Europeans too! Hope these disparate points make sense! Could explain them better, but short of time! Sue On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 07:15:51 +1000, Clare wrote: >Ecumenical News International released a statement that began: > >Geneva (ENI). European church leaders have welcomed the adoption >of a European Constitution, but have noted they would have been >happier if the document had an explicit reference to the >Christian roots of Europe in its preamble. > >I think that's exactly the kind of assertion that really gets up the >noses of non-christians (and some christians, though they're generally >less discerning when it comes to the statements of their leaders). >Christianity is NOT the roots of Europe. Not unless you begin history >at 313CE, that is, and totally ignore all other religious traditions >that continued in many of the areas now part of the EU. > >Appropriating history like that, and denying the valid experiences of a >significant proportion of society, isn't humility in my book, nor is it >a good witness. > >Clare >*************************************************** >Clare Pascoe Henderson >http://www.clergyabuseaustralia.org >Clergy Sexual Abuse in Australia >Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >*************************************************** > > >------------------------------------------------------ >- You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] >- To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe >insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) >See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm >------------------------------------------------------ Sue Bolton Sydney, Australia ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
