Ok so this is a very boring topic, but also an important one.
Ireland is the only country in the EU to be allowing its citizens to have a say in this treaty. I for one, am glad that Bunreacht na hEireann (our constitution) states that we get a direct say.
I would like to point out that I am not anti-Europe, I studied European law. I'm a Eurosceptic insomuch as I'm a Irish Government sceptic or a British government sceptic - they don't always make the wisest decisions.
Some issues with Lisbon:
Its basically a revised and slightly altered version of the EU Constitution, which was voted against by Dutch and French voters last year. This is slightly deceptive I think, citizens had a direct say for the constitution, but this is being pushed through without consultation.
Ireland is a small country, currently we have a veto, we have an equal say. This treaty will alter that, representation will be based on population. Clearly a country of 4 million people will not have a significant say. Many issues of veto voting will be transfered to qualified majority voting (QMV) again based on population.
However my primary problem is with the changed wording of Article 1(a) of the Treaty of Europe.
‘Article 1a
The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy,
equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.’.
The emphasis on "pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance" worry me. Not because these are fundamentally bad things, but I can see where this could lead. Personally I don't believe in pluralism, there is one way to God, one mediator between God and man - the Lord Jesus Christ. Now I don't know if this will lead to people being monitored, or even punished for expressing their beliefs. The European Charter on Fundamental rights provides for Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Expression, and Freedom of Assembly. But will Christians actually be able to say that they believe homosexuality is wrong? Will Christians be able to say that there is only one way to God? Will Christians be able to say that they believe other religions to be false?
That is why I am voting no. Jesus promised we would suffer for his sake, for the gospel, that persecutions would come. But I am voting no, yes due to the loss of influence my small country will have in Europe, but primarily because I am against any law which would enshrine pluralism, and possibly put it above the right to freedom of religion.
2 comments:
When І initiallу commеnted I seem to have clicked thе -Notify
me when new сomments are addeԁ- cheсκbox and now eаch tіme а
comment is added I gеt 4 emails wіth the exaсt same сοmment.
Thеre hаs to be a way уou are able to remoνе me from that service?
Cheers!
Feel free to visit my hοmepage ... used bucket trucks for sale
Also visit my blog post ; buy bucket trucks
Much like your whole body, the human brain demands exercise to work appropriately. Maximize and enhance your brain's power to remember by using up new pursuits that pose a emotional struggle. These needs to be different actions that the brain can't do quickly. Locate anything to achieve that is equally psychologically stressful and pleasant, such as researching a new vocabulary, finding out how to play a musical tool, participating in a whole new sport, sewing, carrying out word or amount puzzles and game titles or actively playing chess. The possibilities are as countless because they are helpful. [url=http://www.ss12w12ws.info]Appenffk8dti[/url]
Post a Comment