Greek Orthodox Church joins opposition to EU court’s ban on classroom crucifixes

cna ^ | December 4, 2009

[NYer]

Athens, Greece, Dec 4, 2009 / 06:55 am (CNA).- The head of the Greek Orthodox Church has voiced his opposition to a court ban on crucifixes in classrooms in Italy and will hold an emergency synod to lay out a plan of action to combat the ban. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece said that the European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) had ignored the role of Christianity in Europe’s history. According to the BBC, he added that majorities, not only minorities, have rights.

The Orthodox Church fears the EHCR ruling could trigger similar rulings about the public display of Christian symbols in other countries.

The self-described human rights group Helsinki Monitor is seeking the removal of icons of Jesus from Greek courts and an end to Christian oaths in the witness box. It also wants Christian symbols to be removed from Greek schools.

The EHCR had ruled that the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools violates the European Convention on Human Rights’ protections of the right to education and the freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

According to the court’s ruling, the crucifix’s presence in the classroom could be interpreted by pupils as a religious sign and they would feel “that they were being educated in a school environment bearing the stamp of a given religion.”

The Strasbourg-based court argued that this situation could encourage religious pupils but could be disturbing for pupils of other religions or were atheists, “particularly if they belonged to religious minorities.

The ruling caused outcry across Italy and the Italian government plans to appeal it.

[NYer]

Ping!

[denydenydeny]

The Orthodox Church fears the EHCR ruling could trigger similar rulings about the public display of Christian symbols in other countries.

Their fears are well-founded.

[MWS]

This is what happens when you let socialists take over.

First they try to unite and form big government. While they do that, they tell you that nothing is going to change much but things are going to work better. They tell you that the last thing on their minds would be to trample religious freedom.

Then, once they have power, they slowly go about dismantling religion under the auspices of religious freedom. They have to “destroy religion in order to ensure real religious freedom.” After religious freedom follows other freedoms, all for the “greater good.” Once they’re in power, they are so blatant about showing their true agenda.

This is why Western Civilization is falling apart! It’s being dismantled by socialists who have sweet talked people into thinking that socialist government is the answer! Those of us on both sides of the Atlantic better wake up before they strip away everything that truly matters!

[NYer]

It’s being dismantled by socialists who have sweet talked people into thinking that socialist government is the answer!

Actually, it is being driven by a secularist society that has replaced God with government. Restore faith in God and people will stop expecting the government to provide cradle to grave solutions. Our currency still reads: "In God we trust", even if only a few of us still believe and practice that faith.

[jackinbox]

As long as it doesn’t open the door for Islamic radicals to start demanding the teaching of Islam, I personally have no problem with crucifixes in schools. The EU is way ahead of us in terms of Muslims integrating into the population and I’m always wary of giving them a loophole to preach their “religion of peace”. Anything that can be done to keep Sharia law out of Western Civilization is a small price to pay.

[NYer]

Anything that can be done to keep Sharia law out of Western Civilization is a small price to pay.

I would never consider hanging a crucifix in a classroom, a "small price to pay". My daughter spent most of her years in government "secular" classrooms. Recently, she switched to a Catholic college. Her first comment? "They have crucifixes in all the classrooms." And she meant it as a sort of comfort to see her Lord and Savior's presence in a learning environment. Ditto for me when I underwent major surgery a few years ago in a Catholic hospital. It brings great comfort to look up at the wall and see Christ.

As for keeping sharia law out of western civilization, as a nation, we still have a formidable christian presence that is willing to fight to preserve our christian heritage. It is now too late for Britain.