Description
Book SynopsisA contemporary examination of the role of religion in the European public sphere and beyond
Although the role of religion has arguably declined in the societies of Western and Northern Europe, religious participation in other parts of the continent and among growing immigrant communities remains an important aspect of daily life. Recent years have seen a resurgence of religion in the public sphere, prompting many researchers to view European secularism as an outlier in this global trend. Religion and European Society: A Primer presents recent academic literature that explores key developments and current debates in the field, covering topics such as changing patterns of belief, religion across the political spectrum, and development and humanitarian aid.
Articles written by leading scholars draw from well-established findings to help readers contemplate the role of religion in public life, understand the assumptions and underpinnings of the secular
Table of Contents
Notes on Contributors xi
Introduction 1
Benjamin Schewel and Erin K. Wilson
I.1 The Varieties of Secularism 3
I.2 Imagining ‘Europe’ 4
I.3 Chapter Summary 5
Note 11
References 11
Part I Conceptual Frameworks 13
1 Religion in European Society: The Factors to Take into Account 15
Grace Davie and Erin K. Wilson
1.1 Cultural Heritage 16
1.2 The Historic Churches 16
1.3 From Obligation to Consumption 18
1.4 New Arrivals 21
1.5 Secular Reactions 22
1.6 The Influence of Neoliberalism 24
1.7 Is Europe an Exceptional Case? 25
1.8 ‘Global War on Terror’ and Associated Discourse 26
1.9 Gathering the Threads 27
Notes 28
References 28
2 What’s Wrong with Secularization? 31
Benjamin Schewel
2.1 The Seven Basic Claims Investigated 32
2.2 Conclusion 42
Key Points for Researchers and Policymakers 43
Notes 44
References 44
Part II Religion and the Public Sphere in Europe 49
3 Religion’s Place in Ethical and Political Discourse 51
Joseph A. Camilleri
3.1 The Changing European Mosaic 52
3.2 The ‘Islam’ Conundrum: Challenge and Opportunity 54
3.3 Contending Discourses 56
3.4 More Promising Pathways 60
References 65
4 Culture, Conflict, and Constitutional Right: Representations of Religion in the Daily Press 69
Mia Lövheim
4.1 Introduction 69
4.2 A New Visibility of Religion: Post‐Secularity or Mediatization? 70
4.3 Increased Visibility of Religion: Empirical Findings 71
4.4 Framing Religion 73
4.4.1 Conflict 74
4.4.2 Culture 75
4.4.3 Constitutional Right 75
4.5 Religion, Post‐Secularity, and Mediatization: Interpreting the Findings 78
4.6 Key Points and Recommendations for Researchers 79
4.7 Key Points for Policy‐Makers 80
4.8 Key Points for Media Practitioners 80
Notes 80
References 81
5 Patterns of Regulation of Religion in Europe 83
Paul Rasor
5.1 European Context 83
5.2 Six Examples of Regulation 85
5.2.1 Denmark 85
5.2.1.1 Religion in Schools 86
5.2.1.2 Religious and Clothing and Symbols 86
5.2.2 Poland 86
5.2.2.1 Religion in Schools 87
5.2.2.2 Religious Clothing and Symbols 87
5.2.3 Italy 87
5.2.3.1 Religion in Schools 88
5.2.3.2 Religious Clothing and Symbols 89
5.2.4 Czech Republic 89
5.2.4.1 Religion in Schools 90
5.2.4.2 Religious Clothing and Symbols 90
5.2.5 The Netherlands 91
5.2.5.1 Religion in Schools 91
5.2.5.2 Religious Clothing and Symbols 91
5.2.6 France 92
5.2.6.1 Religion in Schools 92
5.2.6.2 Religious Clothing and Symbols 93
5.3 Conclusion 93
Questions and Suggestions for Researchers and Policymakers 94
Notes 95
References 96
6 Faith‐based Organizations in Europe 99
Jeffrey Haynes
6.1 Introduction: FBOs in Europe 99
6.2 FBOs and the EU: From Marginalization to Significance 100
6.3 FBOs and Welfare Provision in Europe 104
6.4 Conclusion 106
Notes 107
References 108
7 The Religious Dimensions of Contemporary European Populism 111
Renée Wagenvoorde
7.1 The Rise of Populism in Europe 112
7.2 Populism in Public Discourse 112
7.3 Populism in Academic Literature 114
7.4 Populism, Religion, and Identity 115
7.4.1 The Role of Religion in Populist Self‐conceptions 115
7.4.2 Populists’ Rejection of Islam 117
7.5 Good vs Bad Populism 118
7.6 Conclusion 119
7.6.1 Recommendations for Researchers and Policymakers 120
References120
8 Gender: Religion, Secularism, and Women’s Empowerment 125
Kim Knibbe and Brenda Bartelink
8.1 Introduction 125
8.2 Understanding Religion in Modern Society: Beyond the Secularization Thesis 126
8.3 The Gendered Division Between Public and Private 128
8.4 Religion and Gender: Current Research 130
8.5 Majority–Minority Relations 132
8.6 New Research Agendas 133
8.7 Policymakers: Recommendations 134
8.7.1 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 134
8.7.2 Public Health Risks: HIV‐ and Homo‐healings 135
8.8 Conclusion 137
Notes 138
References 138
Part III Global Interconnections 143
9 Religion and Peacebuilding in the European Union 145
Megan K. Shore and Scott T. Kline
9.1 Religious Conflict Resolution: An Introduction 146
9.2 Religion, Peacebuilding, and Religious Conflict Resolution in Europe 151
9.2.1 Secularization 152
9.2.2 The European Union 153
9.3 Conclusion 154
Note 155
References 155
10 Radicalization and Religion 159
Liam Stephens and Stijn Sieckelinck
10.1 The Meaning and Use of Radicalization as a Concept 160
10.2 Utilizing Radicalization in Practice 161
10.2.1 Ideology 162
10.2.2 Environment 163
10.2.3 Psychological Processes 164
10.3 Identity and Agency 165
Note 167
References 167
11 Universal Freedom of Religion or Belief: A Reality Check Through the Lens of the EU Guidelines 171
Michael Wiener
11.1 Regional Challenges to the Universal Freedom of Religion or Belief 172
11.1.1 Violence 173
11.1.2 Freedom of Expression 173
11.1.3 Promotion of Respect for Diversity and Tolerance 174
11.1.4 Discrimination 175
11.1.5 Changing or Leaving One’s Religion or Belief 176
11.1.6 Manifestation of Religion or Belief 176
11.2 External–Internal Consistency: A Reality Check Concerning EU Member States 177
11.2.1 Violence 177
11.2.2 Freedom of Expression 178
11.2.3 Promotion of Respect for Diversity and Tolerance 178
11.2.4 Discrimination 179
11.2.5 Changing or Leaving One’s Religion or Belief 180
11.2.6 Manifestation of Religion or Belief 180
11.3 Concluding Remarks 180
Note 181
References 182
12 Between Solidarity and Exclusion: Religious Dimensions of Immigration and Asylum in Europe 183
Kat Eghdamian
12.1 (Mis)Assumptions About Religion and Immigration 184
12.2 Security First: Religion, Immigration, and Geopolitical Hostility 186
12.3 Changing Notions of Us and Them: Immigration, Integration, and Religious Identity 187
12.4 Concluding Remarks and Key Recommendations 190
References 191
13 Southern‐Led Faith‐based Responses to Refugees: Insights for the Global North 195
Elena Fiddian‐Qasmiyeh and Julia Pacitto
13.1 Introduction 195
13.2 Localizing – and ‘Faithing’ – Debates on Southern‐led Responses to Displacement 196
13.3 Hegemonic Humanitarianism Defined and Critiqued 199
13.4 Writing the ‘Other’ into Humanitarian Discourse 201
13.5 Southern State and Civil Society Responses to Syrian Refugees’ Displacement 202
13.6 Humanitarian Refugees: Views from the Thai‐Myanmar Border Camp 203
13.7 Conclusions 205
13.7.1 Recommendations for Researchers 207
13.7.2 Recommendations for Policymakers 207
Notes 207
References 210
Index 215
