An Easter Reflection
Within the Convention that wrote the text of the European Constitution in 2004, Italy insisted to include a reference to the shared "Judaic - Christian" roots of Europe in the preamble.
The Italian position was politically indefensible and the request was turned down. The majority of the convention was indeed well aware of the risk that the new constitution would include an “exclusivist” message, typical of a religious - based political construction.
Religion cannot constitute the cultural basis of a modern political aggregation: religion is based on dogmas, absolute truth, primacy and submission to a stronger and higher will. A modern political aggregation, on the other hand, rests on mutual respect, compromise and citizens participation in the decision-making process.
By giving Judaism and Christianism a prominent role in the Constitutional Treaty, the Convention would have seriously jeopardized the philosophical foundation of a future European political union.
It can't be denied that the history of Europe partly coincides with the history of Christianity. But the roots of our continent as a political and economic aggregation are to be sought in the Enlightenment, in the principles set by the French Revolution and in its secular culture, the one that Christianity has always fought.
Free thinking has released European states from the idea that power was based on a divine concession and has set the basis for a society governed by the rule of law: the last absolute monarchies were reformed at the beginning of the twentieth century and from that moment on - with some notable exceptions - religion has become an element of people’s private spheres.
The European Union’s approach towards religion is rather neutral. Sculpted in the Charter of Fundamental Rights - which is annexed to the Treaty of Lisbon - are the secular values that, from Kant onwards, have released human ethics from religious prejudices and ownership. No more charity, but the obligation to pay taxes. No more pity, but the obligation for the state to create opportunities. No more tolerance, but mutual respect, as the concept of tolerance implies the presence of a dominant culture.
EU Member States enjoy full independence in their relationship with religions: there are secular nations such as France and the Netherlands and more conservative states like Italy and Ireland (where abortion is still a crime). However, it is a widespread idea in the EU that the dominant influence of a certain dogmatic way of thinking can never be the basis for a future political union.
Instead, Europe should promote the secular values that constitute the base of its very own existence. It must combat religious fanaticism, whatever its origin.
Just ask yourself: in a state where a certain religion influences the constitutional framework, would it be possible to practice a cult different from the official one? This is the risk of giving a religious connotation of some kind to a certain political aggregation.
The problem seems to be particularly acute today because of the exponential increase of the Islamic population: and yet, we must not forget that the disdain of homosexuality, the marginal role of women in society, the stonings and the burnings of heretics, the tortures were practiced by christians as much as by muslims. Religious models should never find their places in fundamental laws, no matter what religion we are talking about.
Surely, religion plays a role - and so it should be - in public life: with their cultural and political influence, religions will continue to be extremely relevant in the future. But never should Europe stop to defend and protect the secular values that have allowed it to come into existence.
(Each article reflects the personal views of the author)
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