Guy Verhofstadt
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Today, the ‘open society’ is in danger once again. Religious fanatics act against liberalism and reject individualism. Look at radical Muslims who are menacing writers and politicians such as Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Irshad Manji, Taslima Nasreen and many others. But look also at radical Jews and Christians who reject the separation of church and state. Read the book Kingdom Coming from Michelle Goldberg. She travelled through a country in the grip of a growing religious radicalism: the America of our time. From the classroom to the mega-church to the federal court, she saw how the growing influence of the doctrine that Christians have the right to rule nonbelievers - is threatening the foundations of democracy. Popper said: “We all remember how many religious wars were fought for a religion of love and gentleness; how many bodies were burned alive with the kind intention of saving souls from the eternal fire of hell”. Keep this in mind." --Guy Verhofstadt, "The Liberal Testament of Karl Popper", 2007 |
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Guy Maurice Marie Louise Verhofstadt (born 11 April 1953) is a Belgian politician. He is the Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Belgium since 2009. He served as the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium from 1985 to 1992 and Minister of Budget from 1985 to 1992. He was a Member of the Chamber of Representatives from 1985 to 2009.
