26
January 2011
Past Event
How Necessary Is Christianity to European Identity?

How Necessary Is Christianity to European Identity?

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
January 26, 2011
Default Event Image
26
January 2011
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Speakers:
Nina Shea
Nina Shea

Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Religious Freedom

Paul Marshall

Senior Fellow, Center for Religious Freedom

George Weigel

Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Once the heart of Christendom, Europe now is increasingly a secularist culture. While many states retain Christian symbols on their flags and official sports team uniforms, and references to Christian beliefs remain in some constitutions, many Europeans are leaving the religion. Earlier this decade, in considering the ratification of a European constitution (an effort that ultimately failed), the EU omitted from the preamble any historical reference to Europe's Christian roots, though it duly noted its ancient Greek and Roman heritage.

Recently, the question of European identity has been brought into sharp focus over issues of Muslim immigration and integration. This fall, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asserted that the "multikulti" concept--where people would "live side-by-side" happily--was not working, and immigrants needed to do more to integrate. This followed initiatives to ban some symbols of Islam, such as minarets in Switzerland and burkas in France, as well as gains at the polls by anti-immigration parties throughout the Continent. How necessary to European identity is its Christian heritage? Do these developments indicate a trend toward reclaiming Europe's Christian identity? How might Christianity be relevant to Europe's future?

Hudson Senior Fellows Nina Shea and Paul Marshall introduced and moderated the event.

Related Events
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Freeing China’s Political Prisoners
Featured Speakers:
Sarah Makin
Corey Jackson
Frances Hui
Jewher Ilham
Moderator:
Olivia Enos
Getty Images
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Freeing China’s Political Prisoners

Join Hudson for a discussion on the situation of political prisoners across China, what the US can do to advance their cause, and potential reforms to Washington’s political prisoner advocacy framework.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Sarah Makin
Corey Jackson
Frances Hui
Jewher Ilham
Moderator:
Olivia Enos
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Digital Front Line: Building a Cyber-Resilient Taiwan
Featured Speakers:
Jason Hsu
Congressman Rob Wittman
Admiral (Ret.) Legislator Richard YK Chen
Dr. Anshu Roy
Joseph Saunders
taiwan flag cyber
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Digital Front Line: Building a Cyber-Resilient Taiwan

Join Hudson Senior Fellow Jason Hsu for a discussion with Congressman Rob Wittman on the role of cyber resilience in the defense of Taiwan.

taiwan flag cyber
Featured Speakers:
Jason Hsu
Congressman Rob Wittman
Admiral (Ret.) Legislator Richard YK Chen
Dr. Anshu Roy
Joseph Saunders
04
November 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Bad Money: How America Can Solve Perpetual Inflation
Featured Speakers:
Brendan Brown
Alex J. Pollock
Moderator:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Getty Images
04
November 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Bad Money: How America Can Solve Perpetual Inflation

At Hudson, Senior Fellows Brendan Brown and Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Mises Institute Senior Fellow Alex Pollock will discuss the book’s findings and how gold-based monetary reform combined with the increased use of modern analytical tools can help end the inflationary spiral.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Brendan Brown
Alex J. Pollock
Moderator:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
31
July 2025
Past Event
How Congress Can Rebuild US Shipbuilding and Boost Maritime Security
Featured Speakers:
Austin Gray
Capt. Christian Lee (Ret.)
Matthew Paxton
Scott Sloan
Mike Smith
Lawrence Ryder
Moderators:
Bryan Clark
Michael Roberts
DVIDS
31
July 2025
Past Event
How Congress Can Rebuild US Shipbuilding and Boost Maritime Security

Join Hudson Senior Fellows Bryan Clark and Michael Roberts for a discussion with government and industry leaders about the challenges the US Navy and Coast Guard face amid modernization efforts and how new legislation and regulation can help restore America’s maritime superiority.

DVIDS
Featured Speakers:
Austin Gray
Capt. Christian Lee (Ret.)
Matthew Paxton
Scott Sloan
Mike Smith
Lawrence Ryder
Moderators:
Bryan Clark
Michael Roberts