Christmas is approaching once again this year. Nowhere more than in the millions of cards that we Christians exchange at this time of the year are so many wishes for peace, love and happiness for all concentrated in a few lines. Who can be bothered by this message?
A few weeks ago, "guidelines for inclusive communication" were leaked, with the support of EU Equality Commissioner Helena Dilli, inviting European civil servants to avoid language that might offend the sensibilities of citizens. Among other considerations, it was recommended to replace the expression "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays", or to dispense with the use of Christian names to exemplify certain situations.
A democratic society must be built on a balance between respect for religious and belief plurality and the state's position of neutrality. This balance favors public order and tolerance, which is important for the proper functioning of inclusive societies. The neutrality of the State implies that it should not take a position that prevents minorities - religious or otherwise - from realizing their legitimate ideals.
If the European Union is committed to respecting diversity and promoting tolerance (Art. 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights), it should not promote self-censorship of anyone - even if it is a Christian majority - but encourage everyone to express, respectfully, their most intimate beliefs and desires, both in public and in private.
I have never been offended by the presence of symbols of other religions wherever I go. The Buddhist Pagoda in Battersea Park in London does not bother me at all. In Jerusalem I have entered with admiration and respect the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosques and prayed at the Wailing Wall, together with Jewish believers. I have visited Orthodox and Protestant churches in Moscow or Zurich, and also the magnificent Mormon temple in Washington D.C. I have never felt insulted by the religious expressions of others, no matter how different their beliefs may be from mine.
Sincerely, I believe that only those who want to make religion invisible have an interest in using the easy argument of diversity and respect for minorities to launch this kind of cancellation messages. Plurality - which undoubtedly includes Christians - should not offend anyone. And if someone is upset, it is because perhaps he or she has a problem, a real disease of our times: intolerance.
Equality Commissioner Dilli herself retweeted Commission President Von der Leyden on December 2 last year, congratulating the Jewish community on Hanukkah. I think it's great that she does so. That is why I am waiting for her tweet to congratulate, at least with the same enthusiasm, Christmas to all Christians.
Professor at the Faculty of Law of the International University of Catalonia and director of the Institute for Advanced Family Studies. She directs the Chair on Intergenerational Solidarity in the Family (IsFamily Santander Chair) and the Childcare and Family Policies Chair of the Joaquim Molins Figueras Foundation. She is also Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law at UIC Barcelona.
