Original scientific paper

HOPE IN A EUROPE WITHOUT GOD

Josip Grbac ; Theology of Rijeka, Dislocated Studies of Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

In a certain sense Europe denied God and its Christian roots. This is a negative presupposition, in a reflection about a possible Christian contribution to modern Europe in the matter of hope. Europe experienced many deceived and frustrated hopes that came from three directions: the enlightenment, secondly: the attempt of creating a class-less society and thirdly, the infinite faith in the possibility of human progress. Such an Europe needs the key elements of Christian hope: a conscience that human efforts will always be insufficient, and as such should never lead to despair, the unquestionable dignity of man regardless of achieved goals, and finally a universal humanism of a great importance in borderline situations. Christians can help Europe with their message of hope, and with contents stemming directly from Christian hope, that could function as a path for Europe’s recovery: by accentuating the personal responsibility of man, by defining clearly the human dignity, by creating a culture of remembrance, establishing a true tolerance, permeating the public life with elements of Christian optimism, and by means of stressing the importance of a ontological, not only utilitarian, solidarity.

Keywords

Christian hope; personal responsibility; human dignity; culture of remembrance; tolerance; ontological solidarity.

Hrčak ID:

220777

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/220777

Publication date:

10.8.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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