Dutch liberal MEP Sophie in ´t Veld receives Secularist of the Year Award Part 1

The Dutch liberal Member of the European Parliament Sophie in ´t Veld (D66/ALDE) is to receive the Secularist of the Year Award today in London. The British National Secular Society will award her the prestigious Irwin Prize for her continuing efforts to promote secularism in European politics.

Highly honored
As the chairperson of the European Parliament Platform for Secularism in Politics, Sophie in ´t Veld strives to give a voice to secularism in Europe. Mrs In ´t Veld says: ´I feel very honored to receive this prize. I consider it as encouragement to continue the battle for the complete separation between church and state in Europe.´

Ruling of Strasbourg Court
Mrs In 't Veld receives the award one day after the ruling of the Strasburg court, allowing for the compulsory presence of religious symbols in state schools. 'This ruling demonstrates the need for secularists to get organized around Europe, and make their voices heard. Although the constituencies of churches are shrinking, their grip on public institutions is still disproportionately strong.'

Secular voice in European politics
The liberal politician stresses the importance of the secular voice being heard in European politics. In many policy areas, religious groups are gaining more and more influence. They affect decision making on vital subjects such as gay and lesbian rights, freedom of speech, healthcare and scientific research. Mrs In 't Veld says: 'Europe is based on shared values and fundamental rights for all. All 500 million European citizens must be heard and represented equally, religious people and secularists alike. True freedom of religion can only exist if the state doesn't favor one dominant religion over the other.' According to the Dutch MEP the EU institutions must remain secular to ensure that all religions and secular convictions are treated the same and have equal opportunities to influence EU policy making.

Previous winners
Each year, the National Secular Society awards the Irwin Prize to a person who has contributed significantly to the secular cause over the previous year. Past winners have included Professor Steve Jones for his work on promoting evolution and resisting creationist claims; Maryam Namazie for her work in opposing the oppression of women in Iran; British liberal politicians Evan Harris and Lord Avebury for their work in abolishing the blasphemy law. Mrs In 't Veld says: ´I see it as a great honor to join this impressive list of winners´.

--
For more information on the National Secular Society, www.secularism.org.uk
--
For more information on the European Parliament Platform for Secularism in
Politics, www.politicsreligion.eu

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• D66
• ALDE
• Sophie
• in
• Veld
• ´t
• Secularist
• of
• the
• Year
• European
• Parliament
• Lautsi
• Case
• British
• National
• Secular
• Society
• London
• christianity
• spirituality