The Problem of Correlationship Between European Principles of Law and Chistian Values in the Context of Current Challenges

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of correlationship between European principles of law and Christian values. The author analyses the causes of current European legal system's axiological crisis. Practice has shown that the secularist principles enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon have led not to the dreamed multiculturalism, but to the erosion of European identity as the basis of cultural-civilizational association. The historical and philosophical methods allow to reveal the role of Christian values in the creating of European law. The Christian spirit permeates the constituent documents and basic legal acts of the EU and the Council of Europe. European principles of law are based on humanistic values such as human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity. These European values have their own sources in the Biblical commandments. Love, charity and right to life are the fundamental principles of the Christian humanism. Human dignity as an ethical category acts as an axiological and teleological core of law principles. Such axiological pillars as freedom, justice and responsibility are the connecting links in the relation between European principles of law and Christian values. The author shows the need for the legal state as a guarantor of the balance of human rights and freedoms with duties and responsibilities as higher Christian virtues. Divine origin of law and its subjective perception as justice explain the spiritual foundation of the Rule of Law principle. The Rule of Law establishes the supremacy of truth and justice, over formal legacy and political ideology; the priority of human rights over the interests of the state; non-interference of the state with private life, especially in matters of faith, and self-government of civil society structures, including religious organizations. Thus, it can be considered proven