Dear Editor,
In his letter (en March 2019) Richard Carter expresses concern at what he sees as the ‘creeping liberal secularism’ of the EU, with the implication that it is a bad influence on Britain.
Yet, ‘creeping liberal secularism’ is a worldwide issue, not a specifically European one. In fact, when it comes to unbiblical liberal social agendas, Britain is ahead of many EU countries. Germany and Finland, for example, didn’t legalise gay marriage until 2017, and Austria only this year – some years after the UK. The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel – a confirmed Lutheran and one of the most influential people in the EU – voted against gay marriage, as did most of her party, the Christian Democratic Union (could a party with the word ‘Christian’ in its title ever become the leading party in the UK?).
Richard’s letter mainly refers to systems of government and warns against secular constitutions, including the French one. But in spite of a secular constitution, President Macron is reported to be positive about French Evangelicals, having worked for a French Protestant in his younger days. When power was formally handed over to him, the National Council of French Evangelicals was represented at the state ceremony for the first time ever. His Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, is also reported by Evangelical Christians to have been significantly helpful to them.
As for Britain, the danger to the spiritual health of our nation doesn’t come from the EU, it comes from us – Britain itself. We can’t pin the blame on anyone else.
Yours sincerely,
