Religion and State in Secular Europe Today
Theoretical Perspectives and Case Studies
edited by H. Geybels and J. Creemers
The relation between religion and state in modern European history is characterized by a dual exercise: safeguarding freedom of religion for all citizens and simultaneously guaranteeing civil governance free from domination by religious authorities. While both religion and state have potential power to suppress personal freedom and development and to keep societies in a deadlock, the present volume notes that in recent decades political and academic discourse has increasingly focused on the potential negative influence of religion. By consequence, historical attitudes of benevolence of European states towards religion are replaced by suspicion and historical religion-state relations are questioned and torn down. Meanwhile, a so-called secular humanist worldview is presented in the public arena as not just an alternative to religions, but as actually superior to religious worldviews. In this cross-disciplinary volume, ten scholars critically scrutinize these developments.
The relation between religion and state in modern European history is characterized by a dual exercise: safeguarding freedom of religion for all citizens and simultaneously guaranteeing civil governance free from domination by religious authorities. While both religion and state have potential power to suppress personal freedom and development and to keep societies in a deadlock, the present volume notes that in recent decades political and academic discourse has increasingly focused on the potential negative influence of religion. By consequence, historical attitudes of benevolence of European states towards religion are replaced by suspicion and historical religion-state relations are questioned and torn down. Meanwhile, a so-called secular humanist worldview is presented in the public arena as not just an alternative to religions, but as actually superior to religious worldviews. In this cross-disciplinary volume, ten scholars critically scrutinize these developments in two sections. First, theoretical considerations aim to rethink what healthy relations between religion and state should look like in contemporary secularized Europe. Ongoing negotiations on the meaning of terms such as secularity, neutrality and laicite are analyzed and the purview of the right to religious freedom is reconsidered. Second, case studies from throughout Europe demonstrate the effects of past and ongoing societal developments on religious agents and their communities, which seek to take up their place in society. As a joint effort, this book aims to contribute to ongoing scholarly debate, not by providing simple and direct answers, but by asking questions and offering nuanced perspectives on the topics at hand.
- Edited by J Creemers
- Edited by H Geybels
Other Titles in this Series
Mystical Anthropology: Cross-Religious Perspectives
Interdisciplinary Reflections on the Arnhem Mystical Sermons and Sri Aurobindo
Volume 66
More than a Memory
The Discourse of Martyrdom and the Construction of Christian Identity in the History of Christianity
Volume 51
Das Konzil und die Seminare
Die Ausbildung der Priester in der Dynamik des Zweiten Vatikanums
Volume 48
Heurs et malheurs de la “collégialité”
Pontificats et Synodes face à la réception de Vatican II
Volume 69
Theologie als geloofsvertolking
Historische en theologische reflecties over het proefschrift van Piet Schoonenberg
Volume 73
The Gospel Preached by the Deaf
Proceedings of a Conference on Deaf Liberation Theology held at the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), May 19, 2003
Volume 52
Religion under Siege II
'Protestant, Orthodox and Muslim Communities in Occupied Europe (1939-1950)'
Volume 56
Marriage – Divorce – Remarriage. Mariage – Divorce – Remariage
Challenges and Perspectives for Christians. Defis et perspectives chretiennes
Volume 58
Syncretisme / Syncretism
Echec ou promesse d'inculturation? / Failure or Opportunity for Inculturation?
Volume 75
Evaluating Liturgical Reform
Four Criteria Derived from a Theological Concept of Tradition
Volume 84
Volk Gottes in Afrika
Die Rolle der Laien in der pastoralen Erneuerung von Kardinal Malula, Kinshasa
Volume 60
Religion, Violence, and Peacebuilding. Religions, violence et construction de la paix
Realities, Perspectives, and Prospects. Contextes, regards et perspectives
Volume 80
Faith and Culture
The Construction of a Christian Identity in Interaction with the Other World Religions in Education
Volume 54
One Bread, One Body, One Church
Essays on the Ecclesia of Christ Today in Honor of Bernard P. Prusak
Volume 81
Patristic Sources and Catholic Social Teaching
a Forgotten Dimension: A Textual, Historical, and Rhetorical Analysis of Patristic Source Citations in the Church's Social Documents
Volume 59
Het Mysterie van het «Lam Gods»
Filips de Goede en de Rechtvaardige Rechters van Van Eyck
Volume 63
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