European religious leaders say faith symbols 'offend no one'

Ecumenical News International News Highlights

18 March 2008

European religious leaders say faith symbols 'offend no one'

Warsaw (ENI). A Christian Orthodox metropolitan, a Lutheran bishop and a
Roman Catholic cardinal have joined other religious leaders in defending the
public display of faith symbols in Europe. "Christianity, Islam and Judaism
are part of European history, while other great religious traditions have
also found a place in the continent today," the Oslo-based European Council
of Religious Leaders said in a statement after their meeting in Berlin
earlier in March. "The public display of religious symbols or celebration of
religious festivals should be seen neither as offensive to other religions
nor as a threat to social cohesion," they stated. "Religious minorities in
Europe do not generally feel offended by Christmas or Easter celebrations in
countries where this is a tradition, as long as their own religious freedom
is respected." [368 words, ENI-08-0234]

ENI Online - www.eni.ch