Copenhagen, Denmark - Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen appealed to politicians and public figures in comments published today to refrain from referring to God in their official speeches and campaigns.
"I certainly don't like that political leaders publicly involve God in their speeches," Fogh Rasmussen was quoted as saying by Denmark's Kristeligt Dagblad, or Christian Daily.
Without identifying lawmakers, public figures or groups by name, Fogh Rasmussen said that frequent reference to God represents a "dangerous cocktail" - especially when rivals and warring sides each claim God is on their side.
"If all rivals insist on having God on their side in the fight, then it becomes a brutal world," he said. "Any human being, including politicians, should here show humility and recognize that we don't even know what this or that God would think of our ventures."
"On this particular point, there is a great need for less religion in the public arena," said Fogh Rasmussen, who is not known as a churchgoer.
The newspaper contrasted Fogh Rasmussen's stand with world leaders such as US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Bush is known for starting meetings with a prayer and referring to his Christian beliefs in his foreign policy. Blair said in a March interview that God would ultimately judge his decision to go to war with Iraq and that his policy decisions are guided by his Christian faith.
A staunch US ally, Fogh Rasmussen's center-right government supported the US decision to go to war in Iraq, where Denmark has 530 troops.