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Northern Europe
Räsänen seat shaky in Finnish elections
It is a stressful parliamentary election for Finnish Christian Democrat Päivi Räsänen. She might not be elected for the first time in 28 years. “Whatever may happen, it is in God's hands,” she says. Räsänen just came back from skiing. An election campaign is a busy time. After an intensive…
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European Union
New story has to fill the space Christianity left
Once, Christianity brought order to the world. But the days of order are over, according to the people behind the recently formed Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC). A new narrative is therefore needed. “Christians can help ARC go deeper.” People are better off than a hundred years ago. But the…
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Western Europe
Dutch MP asks government to block surrogacy
The Dutch government should come up with a reaction to the Casablanca declaration and reconsider its position on surrogacy. MP Kees van der Staaij of the Reformed SGP party in the Netherlands argues for this in parliamentary questions to the Minister of Legal Protection, Franc Weerwind. Photo S Van der…
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European Union
Experts worldwide sound the alarm on surrogacy
Dozens of experts presented a declaration on the universal abolition of surrogacy on Friday in Casablanca, Morocco. “A child is always a gift, not an object of adult desire.” They come from several backgrounds and have different motives. Yet, experts from 76 different nationalities gathered at the conference in Casablanca…
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Central Europe
For German activist, being pro-life means being against surrogacy
Dozens of experts will sign a declaration calling for the global abolition of surrogacy. Cornelia Kaminski, chairwoman of a German pro-life movement, is one of them. “You cannot be pro-life and in favour of surrogacy.” “Surrogacy is a horrible practice”, says the German Cornelia Kaminski, the chairwoman of Germany's largest…
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Central Europe
Christian pacifist under the gun for Western involvement in Ukraine
Germans followed a simple principle after World War II: Nie wieder (Never again). Many of them became pacifists and refused conscription. The war in Ukraine puts pressure on the Christian peace movement. “What is more important? Loving your enemies or standing in solidarity with Ukraine?”A few weeks before the Russian…
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European Union
What does ChatGPT know about ethics and moral dilemmas?
The chatbot ChatGPT offers students convenience and gives teachers headaches. But what does the new technology advice around ethical dilemmas?*As a language model, ChatGPT can generate text on a wide range of topics, including religion. However, the moral implications of its use in this area must be considered. One of…
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Western Europe
The new Dutch ChristianUnion leader is a “pilgrim on the plush”
For the first time in history, the Dutch governing ChristianUnion has a female party leader. With Mirjam Bikker, the outgoing Gert-Jan Segers gets a solid lawyer with much political experience as a successor. On Tuesday, the 40-year-old Mirjam Bikker became the new party leader of the ChristenUnie, or ChristianUnion. She…
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European Union
What is this pilgrimage of the powerful to Davos really about?
This week, the World Economic Forum (WEF) gathers again in Davos, Switzerland. A record of no less than 52 heads of state go on pilgrimage to the Alps. Where it previously was the target of left-wing activists, it now has the attention of the far-right. Four questions. *What is the…
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European Union
European churches fear consequences of rising energy prices
Gas prices remain high. A tour around Europe shows that churches are not yet concerned about their financial situation. A church that has been working on sustainability for years, sometimes to the irritation of fellow believers, can now count on interest from other churches.Churches have barely recovered from falling attendance…
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