Some comments opposing the inclusion of god and christianity:
according to worldnetdaily: "in an editorial, scandinavia's largest daily newspaper, the swedish aftonbladet, said referring to christian values in the constitution and placing them above other values would be a 'huge mistake' because it would 'exclude groups and raise new walls'."
terry sanderson, vice president of the uk's national secular society, told euobserver "we are very glad a reference to god has been left out, it would have created unnecessary barriers in europe...Europe has to be secular for it to be really unified."
the european humanist federation suggested changing reference to europe's " '...Spiritual and moral heritage' into '...The cultural heritage of europe's history,' since our cultural heritage is a pluralistic one and hence defeats the idea of a single european identity." they suggest that article 1 of the constitution read: "the union is founded on the principles of secular rule of law: freedom, equality, democracy and pluralism. It guarantees the respect and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms." 5
a british gay-positive group, the gay and lesbian humanist association (galha) stated that because of "increased secularization of morality and public life," they consider it pointless to include god in the new charter. Spokesperson terry sanderson said: "we are not opposed to a clause that would establish the freedom to practice religion. "what we don’t want to see is religion moving out of the area of freedom and becoming predominant right there in the beginning." he alleges that: "religion is dying throughout europe." he blamed "the church" for the suffering of gays and lesbians "over the last millennium." galha wrote: "to include references to god or 'our christian heritage' would be to start turning back on our 500-year journey from the enlightenment. Instead, we should be proud of our progress, and growing humanity." 3
socialist french deputy olivier duhamel suggested that mention of christianity and god is "absurd," because it would exclude muslims and others of non-christian faiths, as well as citizens who do not believe in god. 7
linda mcavan, a british labour mep, argued that a specific mention of christianity "would offend those many millions of people of different faiths or no faith at all."
an humanist convention member from ireland, dublin mep proinsias de rossa, suggested that the inclusion of god would be divisive: "it would be a mistake; it's a serious mistake."
