Georgian Parliament Speaker: strength of Christian values lies in freedom of choice

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Friday that values-based politics should not mean imposing religious beliefs through legislation, stressing that Christian values are rooted in freedom of choice.

In his address to the international conference “The Foundations of European Civilisation and 1 700 Years of Christianity in Georgia”, Papuashvili noted that the family is one of the oldest social institutions, but the challenges it faces today are distinctly contemporary.

“Birth rates are declining in many European countries, populations are aging, and economic and social pressures on young families are increasing. Technological and cultural changes are raising new questions about parenthood, relations between generations, and the very meaning of family. Georgia is not separate from these processes”, he said.

“Supporting families is no longer merely a matter of personal morality. It is also a matter of demographic, economic and social policy”, the Speaker continued.

Papuashvili further said that a strong family provides an environment where children are protected, generations feel responsible for one another, and people do not find themselves alone at the most difficult moments of their lives.

“In the Christian understanding, however, family is even more than that - it is the first school of love, commitment, self-sacrifice and responsibility. It is there that people learn what society needs later as well - making room for others, taking responsibility, accepting differences, forgiving and caring.

“Protecting the family should not mean excluding anyone, and preserving tradition should not require coercion. On the contrary, tradition is strong when its vitality is demonstrated in a free society”, he noted.

Papuashvili further highlighted the importance of discussing these issues today, when Europe is facing several crises simultaneously, including security, demographic, economic and values-related challenges.

“During times of crisis, societies often place their hopes solely in institutions and resources. But history shows that the resilience of states is not determined only by economic indicators, military capabilities and institutional arrangements. It is also determined by the strength of social bonds, the extent to which people trust one another, how strongly they feel responsible for their families, society and future generations, and whether they share a common foundation of values”, he concluded.