Ludford calls for dialogue on role of faith

12.51.50pm GMT Wed 6th Dec 2006

Sarah with young people of different faiths at the 'Sharing our Faith, Sharing our Pride' seminar

London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford will tomorrow call for greater dialogue for mutual understanding between different faith groups and between them and non-religious people, to achieve a 'new deal' on the place and role of religion in modern societies.

Baroness Ludford will be speaking in the European Parliament at a Conference organised by Jewish, Muslim and Christian youth groups entitled, 'Sharing our Faith, Sharing our Pride'. She will express her respect for people's individual faith and insist on their right to express that, as well as her appreciation for the progressive stance taken on issues like poverty, conflict and some human rights issues by many religious leaders. She will also welcome the important role often played by faith groups in providing a sense of community and fulfilling social and support functions.

But Baroness Ludford will also argue that religion can be reactionary, such as on gender, sexual issues and homosexuality, and divisive if too introverted. Thus there are many emotive and controversial questions surrounding religion in Europe today. She commented:

"The religious pluralism of today's Europe should be applauded and safeguarded. We must ensure that perceptions of religion and faith are not disproportionately influenced by a tiny minority of extremists, and unreasonable hostility to religion must be avoided."

"There has been a clear and deeply worrying increase in religiously as well as racially motivated assault and abuse. We must urgently find a way to reconcile our different viewpoints within a common framework of civil rights values and a state which, while itself secular, allows space for the contribution of faith groups."

Notes:

The 'Sharing our Faith, Sharing our Pride' conference has been organised by the EUJS (European Union of Jewish Students) in partnership with:

EPTO - European Peer Training Organization

EYCE - Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe

FEMYSO - The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisation

FIMCAP - International Federation of Catholic Youth Organisations

JECI-MIEC - International Movement of Catholic Students

Pax Christi International

WSCF - World Student Christian Federation

For more information, see: http://www.eujs.org/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=34&year=2006&month=12&day=06&Itemid=73#