Tuesday, June 22, 2004 7:15 AM

Ecumenical News International released a statement that began:

Geneva (ENI). European church leaders have welcomed the adoption of a European Constitution, but have noted they would have been happier if the document had an explicit reference to the Christian roots of Europe in its preamble.

To which a Christian netfriend commented:

I think that’s exactly the kind of assertion that really gets up the noses of non-christians (and some christians, though they’re generally less discerning when it comes to the statements of their leaders). Christianity is NOT the roots of Europe. Not unless you begin history at 313CE, that is, and totally ignore all other religious traditions that continued in many of the areas now part of the EU.

Appropriating history like that, and denying the valid experiences of a significant proportion of society, isn’t humility in my book, nor is it a good witness.