Comments on: “Sarko the American” does Godtalk French-style http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2007/12/22/sarko-the-american-does-godtalk-french-style/ Religion, faith and ethics Sun, 7 Sep 2008 11:10:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Tom Heneghan http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2007/12/22/sarko-the-american-does-godtalk-french-style/#comment-827 Tom Heneghan Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:33:57 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2007/12/22/sarko-the-american-does-godtalk-french-style/#comment-827 I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. If it is whether France has Christian roots, a visit to any city and a tour through its cathedral will answer that in the affirmative. By saying this, Sarkozy is simply stating a fact of French history. The dispute is whether this should be said so clearly. Some French, especially but not exclusively on the left, do not want it said like that, because they think this leads to assumptions for present-day politics. But stating a fact from history does not necessarily mean today's politicians have to reflect it in policy. Sarkozy states this fact, but he is not planning to ban abortion or divorce (especially not that!) or other things that the Catholic Church opposes. His comments to the bishops about the contributions that religion and hope can make to a society are of the same order. They are statements that are friendly to the churches, without being backed up by plans to impose the churches' agenda. Given France's history of anti-clericalism, making friendly statements about religion has a political connotation. But kind words mean little if they're not backed up by hard facts. I’m not exactly sure what you are asking. If it is whether France has Christian roots, a visit to any city and a tour through its cathedral will answer that in the affirmative. By saying this, Sarkozy is simply stating a fact of French history. The dispute is whether this should be said so clearly. Some French, especially but not exclusively on the left, do not want it said like that, because they think this leads to assumptions for present-day politics. But stating a fact from history does not necessarily mean today’s politicians have to reflect it in policy. Sarkozy states this fact, but he is not planning to ban abortion or divorce (especially not that!) or other things that the Catholic Church opposes.

His comments to the bishops about the contributions that religion and hope can make to a society are of the same order. They are statements that are friendly to the churches, without being backed up by plans to impose the churches’ agenda. Given France’s history of anti-clericalism, making friendly statements about religion has a political connotation. But kind words mean little if they’re not backed up by hard facts.

]]> By: João Simoncello Filho http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2007/12/22/sarko-the-american-does-godtalk-french-style/#comment-825 João Simoncello Filho Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:22:48 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2007/12/22/sarko-the-american-does-godtalk-french-style/#comment-825 I would expected some comments about Mr Sarkozy's address pertinency. In your vision, is it true of false what he said? Tks. JS I would expected some comments about Mr Sarkozy’s address pertinency. In your vision, is it true of false what he said?
Tks.
JS

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