Reflections of a stormy petrel

I'm confused about how the display of the crucifix could be construed as in violation of a human right. (In the US--in a public classroom--it would be in violation of a constitutional principle, but that's not really the same thing . . .) Do you have a link or something that explains the reasoning?

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Don't get me going. The acts of the trial can, I think, be accessed from here: http://www.echr.coe.int/echr/Homepage_EN

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That's fascinating, especially reading it from an American perspective. I do wonder at the statement that "the crucifix was a symbol of Christianity in general rather than of Catholicism alone" in the May 2005 decision, though--I've never seen a crucifix prominently displayed anywhere but a Roman Catholic church (or home or organization, etc.). Is that different in Italy/Europe in general, or is it merely an American Protestant convention?

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The emphasis on the crucifix is Catholic, and most Protestants avoid it as a "graven image". But Christianity does not stop at Catholic and Protestant. The Orthodox and Eastern churches also use it. And in Italian culture especially, it has very little to do - unlike especially the Virgin and the saints - with specific church identity: it is perceived as simply a statement of the Gospel story in three dimensions.

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In the case of Episcopalianism, it's not actually a graven image concern. (Many Episcopal churches actually have small crucifixes scattered here and there about the church and altar; it's just never the preeminent altar cross.) Since our Eucharist is not performed in propitiation, but as a memorial, it's considered more appropriate to focus on the promise of the empty cross rather than the suffering that preceded it. YMMV as to your Protestant denomination, of course.

I didn't know that about Italian culture--thanks for enlightening me!

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I don't really count the Anglican confession as Protestant... but then, these days, TEC is barely Anglican either. And I have a suspicion the Lutherans, or at least some of them, may use crucifixes, although I don't know much about their practices. But it definitely would be an issue in the post-Calvinist and Evangelical/Baptist areas.

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I've never seen a Lutheran church with an altar crucifix, but I think I've only ever been to ELCA churches--I'll have to ask my Missouri synod friends what they do. As for the Baptists, they seldom even have crosses anymore. My grandmother's church had a stained glass faux-window with some innocuous flowers on it, back lit with a fluorescent bulb.

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Worth celebrating!

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When I have the privilege (and I mean it) to meet you, I'llbring the Parmesan and home-baked bread. You bring the wine, I'm sure you have access to the best.

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You're ON!

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(Who were the two voices against?)

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I have no idea, but you probably can find out on their website: http://www.echr.coe.int/echr/Homepage_EN

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Had a look - a Bulgarian and - a Maltese, I think. For some reason I thought judges were picked by country, but obviously it's more like in a national court (ha! it's not the Eurovision contest!)

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The Council of Europe has 48 members - a court that had one judge for each country would look more like an extra size jury than a bench of judges. Having said that, and still not having looked for myself, I am surprised to hear you say that a Matese was one of the dissenters - in general, the Maltese are the European nation most jealous of its Catholic heritage.

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filialucis

The other dissenting judge, according to the list in the ECHR press release, is Swiss, not Maltese.

The Maltese judge actually backed up his vote with a lengthy and spirited concurring opinion that you might enjoy reading. It starts on p. 38 of the judgement as published in this document.

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Ah, a Swiss. Figures. Our northern neighbours - the land of euthanasia and blood-spattered banks - suffer towards us, and I suspect towards Germany too, of the same complex of mingled superiority and helplessness that makes Canadians hate Americans. If the judge is a Swiss Italian, there's nothing more to to be said.

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james asher (from livejournal.com)

I spent 2 years in Canada and saw little evidence of Canadians hating Americans. There probably are some who do, tho the only one I know who despises Americans is the sort of guy who seems incapable of hating without laughter. The "mingled superiority and helplessness" thing is a bit truer, as Canadian national self-image defines itself partly by comparison and contrast to America, but that's (a) entirely reasonable given the circumstances, and (b) not the whole of their self-image.

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