European Court Says Classroom Crucifix Okay

[SonCatcher]

“The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that crucifixes are acceptable in the continent’s state school classrooms, describing them as an “essentially passive symbol” with no obvious religious influence. In its judgment, handed down in Strasbourg, the court found that while the crucifix was “above all a religious symbol” there was no evidence that its display on classroom walls might have an influence on pupils…”

guardian.co.uk/law/2011/mar/18/european-court-human-rights-crucifixes-allowed

Wow. The U.S. Supreme Court could perhaps learn a thing or two here.

 

[kelvinf]

like

 

[Tsuwano]

“The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that crucifixes are acceptable in the continent’s state school classrooms, describing them as an “essentially passive symbol” with no obvious religious influence. In its judgment, handed down in Strasbourg, the court found that while the crucifix was “above all a religious symbol” there was no evidence that its display on classroom walls might have an influence on pupils…”

guardian.co.uk/law/2011/mar/18/european-court-human-rights-crucifixes-allowed

Wow. The U.S. Supreme Court could perhaps learn a thing or two here.

The crucifix is described as an “essentially passive symbol” with no obvious religious influence and we should cheer this as a good thing? Nonsense! I would rather the crucifix never appear on a school wall ever again rather than hear it described as a passive symbol. The fact that it is seen as merely a passive symbol is an indictment against the Church and Christians for failing to live out the revolutionary call of Jesus of Nazareth, who was anything but passive. I feel ashamed that the symbol of my faith and of the Lord’s sacrifice is seen in this light. The court recognized that “there is no evidence that its display on classroom walls might have an influence on pupils.” I take no pleasure in this at all. Imagine! The court would probably rule that a portrait of Marx and Stalin should not be placed in schools because they would prove divisive, but the cross of Christ is merely benign. The ruling may be positive in one sense, but in another it is a great slap in the face to the men and women whom, over the centuries since our Lord’s death, have given their lives in the name of the cross. Shame on us as Christians that we are seen as so passive and that the very symbol of our Lord does not influence anyone.

 

[Holly3278]

This is definitely good news. I do hope and pray that Europeans will experience a resurgence in their Catholic spirituality. They need to go back to their Catholic roots.

 

[antonivs]

I don’t care if the European Court of Human Rights describes the crucifix as an “essentially passive symbol” was as long as the right thing was done.

It will not be passive but inspiring for Catholic students.

:clapping:

 

[Tsuwano]

I don’t care if the European Court of Human Rights describes the crucifix as an “essentially passive symbol” was as long as the right thing was done.

It will not be passive but inspiring for Catholic students.

:clapping:

I hope you are right when you say that the crucifix will be inspiring for Catholic students, but the fact that the European Court could even make such a statement about the crucifix means that it hasn’t inspired too many people in recent years. I think we should be concerned about the European Court making the correct ruling as well as what the crucifix means in our lives and how we are to live out Christ’s mandate to build the Kingdom of God. The crucifix should not be a passive symbol to us, but a call to action.

 

[Tsuwano]

This is definitely good news. I do hope and pray that Europeans will experience a resurgence in their Catholic spirituality. They need to go back to their Catholic roots.

I join you in prayer for this, Holly. All of us need to reaffirm our faith.

 

[Santi2]

I hope you are right when you say that the crucifix will be inspiring for Catholic students, but the fact that the European Court could even make such a statement about the crucifix means that it hasn’t inspired too many people in recent years. I think we should be concerned about the European Court making the correct ruling as well as what the crucifix means in our lives and how we are to live out Christ’s mandate to build the Kingdom of God. The crucifix should not be a passive symbol to us, but a call to action.

That the EHRC can pass off such comment is because it is a secular court. It does not rule on personal faiths. It is important to note that the Vatican is happy with the decision regardless of the comment that the crucifix is “essentially a passive symbol”.

 

[Marie5890]

I was soooo thrilled to read about this !!!

 

[Tsuwano]

That the EHRC can pass off such comment is because it is a secular court. It does not rule on personal faiths. It is important to note that the Vatican is happy with the decision regardless of the comment that the crucifix is “essentially a passive symbol”.

Hey, I’m happy about the decision, too. What I’m not happy about is that the very symbol of our faith is seen as essentially meaningless, especially by a secular court. I don’t blame the court for that, I blame Christians who have failed to recognize the revolutionary nature of their own faith. I’m not satisfied that crucifixes are allowed on school walls simply because they have no real meaning for the students who sit beneath them. None of us should be satisfied with that. What is the point of hanging a crucifix on the wall at all if there is no meaning to what it symbolizes? As I said in a previous post, a portrait of Marx would cause much more anxiety, it seems, than the cross, and it would probably not be allowed to hang on a school wall. Is this something to celebrate? I don’t think so. It is something to ponder, however, and wonder what we can do to make our faith and her symbols more passionate in the daily lives of those who see them hanging on the wall.

 

[Santi2]

Hey, I’m happy about the decision, too. What I’m not happy about is that the very symbol of our faith is seen as essentially meaningless, especially by a secular court. I don’t blame the court for that, I blame Christians who have failed to recognize the revolutionary nature of their own faith. I’m not satisfied that crucifixes are allowed on school walls simply because they have no real meaning for the students who sit beneath them. None of us should be satisfied with that. What is the point of hanging a crucifix on the wall at all if there is no meaning to what it symbolizes? As I said in a previous post, a portrait of Marx would cause much more anxiety, it seems, than the cross, and it would probably not be allowed to hang on a school wall. Is this something to celebrate? I don’t think so.

Matthew 23:27 comes to mind and understand what you are saying now, Tsuwano. Must apologise if I failed to grasp that earlier.

It is something to ponder, however, and wonder what we can do to make our faith and her symbols more passionate in the daily lives of those who see them hanging on the wall

Religious symbols are fixtures and do not connote anything unless Christians re-discover their faith, Tsuwano. It is only then that one would be able to identify with the body of Jesus which hangs on the cross and His supreme sacrifice of love. What can we do? We can correct mistakes about our faith and explain why we believe what we believe, so on and so forth. But most importantly, I reckon, we must live uncompromisingly as Christians. So, we start at home.

P.S. I pray all be well with you in Nagoya.

 

[Tsuwano]

Matthew 23:27 comes to mind and understand what you are saying now, Tsuwano. Must apologise if I failed to grasp that earlier.

Religious symbols are fixtures and do not connote anything unless Christians re-discover their faith, Tsuwano. It is only then that one would be able to identify with the body of Jesus which hangs on the cross and His supreme sacrifice of love. What can we do? We can correct mistakes about our faith and explain why we believe what we believe, so on and so forth. But most importantly, I reckon, we must live uncompromisingly as Christians. So, we start at home.

P.S. I pray all be well with you in Nagoya.

Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated, especially during this time of anxiety for the people of Japan.

 

[chevalier]

Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated, especially during this time of anxiety for the people of Japan.

Praying for your people as well. The dignity and courage with which you’re dealing with these difficult moments is truly outstanding.

 

[Tsuwano]

Praying for your people as well. The dignity and courage with which you’re dealing with these difficult moments is truly outstanding.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. What is truly, truly outstanding are those men and women who are risking their lives at Fukushima knowing that without a doubt they will be adversely affected by the doses of radiation they are receiving. They aren’t doing it for money or fame or any other reason except a desire to protect people. As scripture says, “No greater love . . . .”