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ReligionFORBChristmas, diversity, and religious traditions

Christmas, diversity, and religious traditions

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Santiago CaƱamares Arribas
Santiago CaƱamares Arribashttps://www.ucm.es/directorio?id=9633
Santiago CaƱamares Arribas is Professor of Law and Religion, Complutense University (Spain). He is Secretary of the Editorial Board of the Revista General de Derecho CanĆ³nico y EclesiĆ”stico del Estado, the first online periodical in his speciality, and a member of the Editorial Board of the journal "Derecho y ReligiĆ³n". He is a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation. He is the author of numerous scientific publications, including four monographs on current issues in his speciality: Igualdad religiosa en las relaciones laborales, Ed. Aranzadi (2018). El matrimonio homosexual en Derecho espaƱol y comparado, Ed. Iustel (2007). Libertad religiosa, simbologĆ­a y laicidad del Estado, Ed. Aranzadi (2005) El matrimonio canĆ³nico en la jurisprudencia civil, Ed. Aranzadi (2002). He has also published numerous articles in prestigious legal journals, both in Spain and abroad. Among the latter, it is worth mentioning: Ecclesiastical Law Journal, University of Cambridge, Religion & Human Right. An International Journal, Journal of Church & State, Sri Lanka Journal of International Law, Oxford Journal of Law and Religion and Annuaire Droit et Religion, among others. He has carried out research stays at foreign universities, including the Catholic University of America in Washington (USA) and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He received a grant from the Banco Santander Young Researchers Programme to carry out a research stay at the Universities of Montevideo and the Republic of Uruguay (2014). He has participated in research projects funded by the European Commission, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Community of Madrid and the Complutense University. He is a member of several international associations in the field of his speciality such as the Latin American Consortium for Religious Freedom, the Spanish Association of Canonists and ICLARS (International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies).

As the Christmas holidays approach, heated debates rage over the maintenance of certain Christian traditions in the public sphere. For instance, in Spain in recent years, the placing of nativity scenes in municipal buildings, Christmas plays in public schools, and the organisation of the Three Kingsā€™ parade have been quite controversial.

Now the European Union is at the centre of the debate, as a result of leaked ā€œguidelines for inclusive communicationā€ ā€“ backed by Equality Commissioner Helena Dilli ā€“ aimed at European civil servants to avoid in their communications any language that could offend citizensā€™ feelings ā€“ or, at best, make them feel like ā€œoutsidersā€ in the European Union ā€“ in many different aspects, including religion. To this end, they were recommended to replace the expression ā€œMerry Christmasā€ with ā€œHappy Holidaysā€ and to avoid the use of names with an unmistakable Christian flavour ā€“ such as John and Mary ā€“ when exemplifying certain situations.

There is no doubt that pluralism and religious diversity are essential elements of democratic societies. The European Union is no stranger to this reality, as one of its fundamental texts ā€“ the Charter of Fundamental Rights ā€“ states that it shall respect cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity.

It is important to stress that the Union does not undertake to ā€œpromoteā€ diversity but only to ā€œrespectā€ the existing pluralism Respect requires assuming a position of acceptance of oneā€™s own social reality, refraining from any direct intervention on it that seeks to alter its configuration. This conclusion is even more evident when we talk about religious diversity. Any public action in this area would mean intervening in the ā€œfree marketā€ of beliefs so that some citizens feel inclined to adhere to a minority faith for the sake of religious pluralism.

Such an attitude would run counter to the secularism or religious neutrality that is one of the fundamental principles guiding the attitude of most European states towards religion. In its most basic meaning, this principle prohibits state identification with any religious denomination, as well as any undue support for one faith over another.

The European Union has not defined its position on religion. The so-called Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union has merely stated that it respects and does not prejudge member statesā€™ patterns of relations in this area. At the same time, however, it recognises the contribution of religious denominations to the shaping of Europe and commits itself to open and transparent dialogue with them. At least two conclusions can be drawn from this regulation. On the one hand, that the Union does not identify with any religious belief and, on the other, that it dissociates itself from laicist/secularist positions, i.e. hostility towards religion.

When linking these two dimensions ā€“ diversity and religious neutrality ā€“ it is hardly surprising that these guidelines were withdrawn immediately. Religious diversity results from the peaceful exercise of religious freedom by individuals ā€“ enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights ā€“ who can freely adhere to a religious belief, change religion or remain completely aloof from the religious phenomenon. It, therefore, arises spontaneously from society and cannot be artificially created through public policies, as this would interfere with the fundamental rights of citizens.

Therefore, when it comes to religious diversity the only role that the European Union ā€“ and the member states ā€“ has to play is to manage it properly. That implies, firstly, guaranteeing the equality of all citizens in the exercise of their rights and freedoms, eliminating situations of discrimination (based on their religion). Secondly, to resolve any tensions that may arise between competing social groups, not by supporting one of them to the detriment of others, but by creating the conditions so that they can tolerate and respect each other.

In short, proper management of religious diversity does not require making Christianity invisible but rather ensuring that minorities also have their place in the public sphere, which is perfectly compatible with respect for the traditions and culture of the peoples that make up European society.

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