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The dialectic of secularization
Religion and politics The opposition between "multiculturalism" and "Enlightenment fundamentalism" is misconceived, argues Jürgen Habermas. "The universalist claim of the political Enlightenment does not contradict the particularist sensibilities of a correctly understood multiculturalism." [ more ]
The deep slumber of decided opinions
Rowan Williams and the Sharia controversy
Sharia debate When Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Church, suggested that the British public consider "some accommodation" to Islamic law, the response was one of outrage. Yet in most cases his words were wildly misinterpreted, writes Stephen Jones. [ more ]
Between national church and religious supermarket
Muslim organizations in Germany and the problem of representation
Official Islam? In Germany, "cultural Muslims" have challenged the authority of conservative Muslim organizations to represent "the Muslim community". The problem of representation has to do with the German state's corporatist approach to negotiation, writes Claus Leggewie. [ more ]
Nicolas Sarkozy, the laďcité and the religions
Muslim representation Nicolas Sarkozy's recent comments on religion have alarmed many. Yet, as Jean-Louis Schlegel demonstrates, they bear a continuity with his policy while still minister of the interior to establish an official Muslim representative body. [ more ]
Take me to your leader
Post-secular society and the Islam industry
Muslim representation A new cadre of "professional Muslims" have realized that kudos is to be gained in speaking on Muslim issues. But the "take me to your leader" approach, practised by government and the media, cuts out the majority of Muslims. [ more ]
Religion, European secular identities, and European integration
Post-secular Europe? The rapid process of secularization in western Europe has not diminished the unease with which Europe considers Islam and Muslims in its midst. In this benchmark essay from 2004, José Casanova argues that the "Islam problem" is an indicator of the disparity between liberal and illiberal strands of European secularism. [Lithuanian version added] [ more ]
The role of religion in establishing social cohesion
Religion and society Nostalgic references to a religious past will not help solve the question of a "European soul". Yes, this past is both glorious and painful, but it no longer exists, writes Daničle Hervieu-Léger. Instead, the weakening of the foundations of religion could prove to be a good starting point for a more specific reconsideration of European religious heritage. [ more ]
Must we respect religiosity?
On questions of faith and the pride of the secular society
Religion and politics Secular society's "supermarket of faiths" principle appears from religion's standpoint to be indifferent and mistaken. Jan Philipp Reemtsma searches for the basis for the respect between believer and non-believer that can prevent this tension from becoming intolerance. [ more ]
European secularization: A special route to post-secular society?
A theoretical note
Religion and public sphere Post-secular society is the contradictory and uncontrollable counterpart of the secular state. Both are accelerated and regulated by a third actor: a public sphere formed by the mass media. [ more ]
Beliefs in the US. Between new fears and old responses
Europe and the US On the differing roles of religion in the public sphere in the US and Europe: "Have you ever heard the German chancellor say 'God bless Germany'?" Reset editor-in-chief Giancarlo Bosetti talks to Seyla Benhabib. [ more ]
The concept of God - and why we don't need it
Atheism In these newly religious times, it no longer seems superfluous to rearm the atheists with arguments. When push comes to shove, atheists can only trust their reason. [English version added] [ more ]
The rebirth of religion and enchanting materialism
"Soft" Atheism While Europe is the exception in the global de-secularization of politics, theoretical interest in theological issues has been rising. Sven-Eric Liedman places "soft naturalism" against militant atheism and makes a plea for a "matérialisme enchanté". [ more ]
Religion and the profane
Islam and Marxism "The difference between the success of Islam and the failure of Marxism is that [...] Islam never claimed that work is sacred." Ernest Gellner, speaking in 1995, draws surprising comparisons between Marxism and Islam. [ more ]
Culture as battlefield
Private and public A sea change in the public sphere has brought a "language of ethical demands", in which religion becomes the medium of conflict, writes Isolde Charim. [ more ]
Pride and prejudice
Individual and collective Religions tend to suffer from humourlessness – but that doesn't disentitle them to respect, says Tahar Ben Jelloun. [ more ]
Islamic evangelism
Islam in Europe
The Westernization of Islam It is a mistake to think that religious and political radicalism among European Muslims is a mere import from the cultures and conflicts of the Middle East. It is above all a consequence of the globalization and Westernization of Islam, writes Olivier Roy. [ more ]
The Islamist identity
Islam, European public space, and civility
Migrant Muslims in Europe It is not distance from, but proximity to modern life that triggers a return to religious identity among migrant Muslims in Europe, says Nilüfer Göle. The religious self for individual Muslims is being shifted from the private to the public realm. [ more ]
Power and religion
Political Islam
Diversity To avoid a "clash of civilizations", the Western perception of the "Islamic world" needs to differentiate between religion and each separate country with individual social and economic issues. [ more ]
The new paths of modern Islam
Interpreting the Koran In an interview about the Mohammed cartoons, Rachid Benzine advocates a new reading of the Koran with the instruments of the social sciences. [ more ]
The question of tolerance in Islamic societies
Tolerance Today's Muslim societies must consider afresh the question of tolerance, and ask why they find themselves mired in indecision and resentment, says Abdesselam Cheddadi. [ more ]
Beyond the clash of intolerances
Values of moderation Today, we are not experiencing a clash of civilizations, but a clash of intolerances. "We must encourage opposing forces to adhere to values of moderation, tolerance, and non-violence", says the Iranian philosopher. [ more ]
The legislation of 1905
France and laicity Should France's laws from 1905 regulating laïcité be reformed after a century of changes in the religious composition of French society? [ more ]
Discords in the French laicity
Religous symbols The ban on religious symbols in French schools reveals a crisis of the laicity. [ more ]
Theology of tidal waves
A post-humanist interpretation
Religion and natural disasters The tsunami disaster in southeast Asia in December 2004 prompted a leading Swedish political scientist to make a public return to the Christian Church. Why are the humanities no longer able to accommodate mass suffering? [ more ]
Theology of tidal waves
A post-humanist interpretation
Religion and natural disasters The tsunami disaster in southeast Asia in December 2004 prompted a leading Swedish political scientist to make a public return to the Christian Church. Why are the humanities no longer able to accommodate mass suffering? [ more ]
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More focal points
The city as stage for social upheaval
From the western European city to the Third World megacity, one is able to observe how a single principle asserts itself in the social structure of the urban space. That principle privatization is geared towards the concentration of wealth and assets on an increasingly global scale, a manoeuvre its beneficiaries seek to naturalize. [ more ]
Shared space, divided society
Migration is part of modern society, meaning more and more people of different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds live together in Europe. The multitude of perspectives and experiences represents an enormous resource, but as cultural conflicts inherent in today's urban societies become visible, doubts are also raised about the value of diversity. [ more ]
Changing Europe
As political Europe turns 50, the questions about its future are as open as ever. A special focus featuring some of Eurozine's most outstanding contributions on the European project: From analyses of the current crisis to a hilarious parody of Brussels' literary ambitions. [ more ]
European histories: Towards a grand narrative?
In order for there to be solidarity within the enlarged EU, it will be necessary to develop a broader historical consciousness that includes both western and eastern experiences. [ more ]
Europe talks to Europe: Towards a European public sphere?
The European integration project has made the discussion about transnational spaces for cultural and political debate acute. Can there at all be a common Europe without a pan-European public sphere? [ more ]
Politics of border making and (cross-)border identities
Have borders become irrelevant with the project of a united Europe? No, just the opposite. On the dilemmas of border building and cross-border cooperation in the EU and its neighbourhood. [ more ]
Freedom of speech and the Danish cartoon controversy
Free speech is a fundamental human right and a central tenet of democracy. Or is it? Reactions to the Danish cartoon controversy show that liberals are re-evaluating what the right to free speech entails. [ more ]
Politics of translation
Translation today is as much about the translation of cultural, political, and historical contexts and concepts as it is about language. [ more ]
Conferences
Friend and foe. Shared space, divided society
The 19th European Meeting of Cultural Journals
London, 27-30 October 2006
Speakers at the 19th European Meeting of Cultural Journals opened up the discussion on cultural diversity in two directions: first, as it is experienced in the physical urban space, and second, as it is reflected in the mirror of the media. [ more ]
Neighbourhoods
The 18th European Meeting of Cultural Journals
Istanbul, 4-7 November 2005
Contributions on the notion of neighbourhood and the Turkey-Europe question from a range of intellectual and geographic perspectives. [ more ]