Europe at a crossroads

American University of Rome ^ | February 21, 2006 | Marcello Pera

[sageb1]

I apologize if this has been posted. I did a search and didn't find it. It is somewhat long, but really worth the read, so for those of you watching American Idol, please bookmark for later.

The .pdf version is here

[Eagles6]

save

[ClearCase_guy]

In 1913, European culture was the most sophisticated in the world. Modern technology and overseas colonies created a truly global economy that was raising living standards everywhere.

Then came WWI.

Europe has been in decline ever since 1914. Like Britain after the Roman legions left, I think there will be centuries of darkness before Europe ever matters again.

[PGalt]

Outstanding! Bravo! Thanks very much for posting.

[sageb1]

"I think there will be centuries of darkness before Europe ever matters again."

If they don't come around soon, I fear you are right. My biggest worry is the Left in our own country is following in their footsteps. And this is what will happen in America if the Dems come to power. The anti-war/anti-moral crowd would deny that they are guilty of relativism. Activists and protestors can't possibly be guilty of such a thing, can they? What they don't realize is that they are fighting against is anti-relativism. They are afraid for America to be "right" or moral about international affairs if being right makes us different or unloved.

As the writer points out, it is not America that has changed, it is Europe.

[strategofr]

"In other words, the separation of Church and State does imply that one institution is not superordinate to the other, but does not entail expelling religion from social life and considering it purely as a private affair, ultimately relegated to a “ghetto of subjectivity”, to use a phrase of Pope Benedict XVI. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening in Europe. The public expression of religion is disliked, disapproved, frustrated, if not prohibited.

The first consequence is that religion can no longer nourish our civil customs, provide a spiritual ground for our societies or act as a support for our public rules and behaviour..."

Brilliant point.


"...unlike the situation in America where the private sphere still has a strong public character. "

May be relative to Europe this is true---but there is no doubt that the Left is doing the same thing here with some success. By banning public expressions of Christianity, such as Christmas, and the Judeo-Christian tradition, such as the 10 Commandments---the Left is weakening religion in our society. Even as a Jew, I wanna bring back public Christmas in America. It is part of America, we need it, it does not offend me.

[sageb1]

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The author has hit upon the truth.

[Leo Carpathian]

The EU idea is doomed. It didn't work as Soviet Union, bunch of countries tied together with idiotic beraucracy has little chance. Make room for some guest workers.

[sageb1]

In this article, Pera quotes an excerpt from something he wrote in collaboration with Cardinal Ratzinger a couple of years ago. I think he and the Pope are probably pretty much in agreement.

I would also suggest that the separation of Church and State was not intended to expel religiosity from the State either. Church control, yes, but not religion itself, as the ACLU and the secularists spin it.

[sageb1]

"The EU idea is doomed."

I tend to agree with you. I wonder if the CFR's plan to unite Mexico, the U.S., and Canada in a similar arrangement was supposed to be a response to the E.U.

[John Lenin]

We have become a nations seperate entities. Society has broken down into splinter groups with each group only looking out for what's best for them. Universal truth (religion)is mocked and ridiculed.

It's only been 40 years since the sexual revolution, led by gays and lesbians that the country has been in a downward spiral, spiritually and morally. Without morals humans become no better than animals. The anything goes mentality has led to the breakup of the nuclear family and once the family breaks down it leaves people not caring about the future and only about their own selves.

[LjubivojeRadosavljevic]

["My answer is no. Europe cannot. Unless Europe rapidly regains confidence in its principles, and understands that they apply not only to Europe but to everyone, because they confer dignity and hospitality to all, it will become irrelevant on the world stage. If that day comes, all of us will have lost, because our great civilisation will have been transferred elsewhere."]

And, so where is "our great civilisation" going to be "transferred elsewhere" to? (Antarctica?)

In short, I think the author is being overly pessimistic.

[sageb1]

"The anything goes mentality has led to the breakup of the nuclear family and once the family breaks down it leaves people not caring about the future and only about their own selves."

Very true. Ironically, even though the left has done everything in its power to break up the traditional family, it knows that the Middle Class has rejected all that it stands for and thus it has made "winning over the middle class" the major focus of the upcoming campaign season.

[sageb1]

Eurabia, perhaps? China? Iran? South America?

I don't think the author is pessimistic. I think he is realistic. If you are more optimistic, please explain where your optimimism comes from.

[sageb1]

optimimism=optimism

[sageb1]

You might be interested in this.

[ClaireSolt]

One wonders where the impetus could come from for revitalization. Their political and academic institutions are all so ingrown. They just produce clones.

[stripes1776]

And, so where is "our great civilisation" going to be "transferred elsewhere" to? (Antarctica?)

To which ever country picks up the torch that Europe is tired of carrying. There are clearly candidates to play that role other than Antarctica.

[georgia2006]

Europe was at a crossroads 20 years ago..they are too far down the path towards destruction to turn it around.

[sageb1]

"One wonders where the impetus could come from for revitalization."

I'm afraid to suggest possibilities. I don't think it would be pretty.