A call to unite Europe based on its Christian heritage employs the wrong premise, says an Adventist theologian citing the current discussion surrounding moves to form a common foundation for the European Union.

In an interview with Adventist Newsline, Teofilo Ferreira, a Portuguese Adventist theologian and educator, said the covenant, which is to bind the European nations on the grounds of a common cultural Christian heritage, should be challenged.

“Culture goes nowhere,” said Ferreira. “The common ground we have from the scriptures is the concept of [a] covenant—God’s convenant with his people.

“Europe is the oldest Christian continent, and it is clear that Europeans are generally proud of being Christian and with such rich background.

“It’s well known how many historical backgrounds [Europe] has,” says Ferreira. He says it’s difficult to unify Europe if it’s not for a common element—religion, mainly Christianity. “My emphasis is not on culture, but on a covenant based on a personal relationship with Christ,” he said.

Recent comments by the pope regarding the proposed European Constitution is perhaps understandable from his perspective, says Jonathan Gallagher, Adventist Church liaison to the United Nations. Gallagher said, however, that it is more important to speak about issues of religious freedom than of religious heritage.

“The most important aspect is religious freedom—which was all too frequently absent in European history. The European Constitution should contain clear and unambiguous guarantees of religious liberty, and language that guarantees the rights of religious minorities will be fully respected. Freedom of conscience and worship are at the heart of any free and democratic society.”