European Self-Reflection Between Politics and Religion

European Self-Reflection Between Politics and Religion
Author: L. Bruun
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2013-05-07
Genre: History
ISBN: 1137315113

This collection of essays suggests new ways of looking at the intertwining of political and religious agonies in the period 1914-1991. The long 'European civil war' revealed that Europe, far from being formed by a one-track progression, has followed several tracks or fault lines, leading to a number of contrasts in European self-perception.

Values – Politics – Religion: The European Values Study

Values – Politics – Religion: The European Values Study
Author: Regina Polak
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2023-07-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 303131364X

This open access book analyses the international data of the European Values Study (EVS 1990 - 2017), with a focus on the impact of religious on political values from empirical as well as theoretical perspectives, i.e. sociology, political and cultural studies, philosophy, ethics, theology and the law. It interprets results from interdisciplinary perspectives, including the viewpoints of social ethics, sociology and cultural studies, law and practical theology. In the political and public as well as media debates of the European Union, the recourse to (above all "European" and also "Christian") values has played a central and controversial role in the field of politics and religion for several decades. This collection is a contribution to a qualified discourse on values in Europe by providing empirical, hermeneutical and ethical criteria for a responsible use of the concept of values. In addition to a comparison of political value systems in Western and Eastern Europe and the possible role of religion in this context, the book also deals with topics such as, f.i., solidarity, economics and values, value formation, and law and values. Additionally, specific population groups such as the socio-culturally marginalized strata are examined more closely. Besides current scientific analyses and interpretations of interest to researchers from various disciplines, this book also offers valuable impulses and suggestions for various multipliers in political, civil society and religious organisations, as well as a sound overview for graduate students.

Transfigurations of the European Identity

Transfigurations of the European Identity
Author: Zsolt Almási
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 195
Release: 2014-03-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1443858056

European identity is as much a problem as an opportunity. Although it is impossible to provide an all-encompassing definition of what it means to be European, historicising and contextualising this problem may well lead to the clarification and even creation of a European identity. This is the contention of this volume, which approaches this complex notion from an inter- and transdisciplinary perspective, examining facets ranging from the citizen to cultural politics, from literature to traditional and digital media, from the US to China. As complex as this idea is, this volume will extend the reader’s understanding of the timely and promising problematisation of what may be termed “European identity.”

Political Islam, World Politics and Europe

Political Islam, World Politics and Europe
Author: Bassam Tibi
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 395
Release: 2014-07-11
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1317816358

The new and updated edition of Political Islam, World Politics and Europe focusses on the shift within political Islam, in light of 9/11 and the events of the Arab Spring, from a jihadist struggle, to institutional Islamism. Refuting what has often been referred to by commentators as the ‘moderation,’ of Islamism, the second edition of this book introduces the concept of ‘institutional,’ Islamism, a process which Tibi argues was accelerated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Both jihadist and institutional Islamism pursue the same goal of an Islamist state, but disagree fundamentally on the strategy for achieving it. Whilst jihadism is committed to the idea of a (violent) Islamic world revolution, institutional Islamism embraces political institutions as a means to an end. Turning to the events of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt this book attempts to determine whether an abandonment of violence is enough to underpin a shift to genuine democracy. Analysing the fall of Morsi in particular, Tibi questions what lessons can be learnt from his presidency, and argues that this event will not change the overall trend of development from jihadism to institutional Islamism A timely addition to existing literature, this book will be of interest to students and scholars studying Middle Eastern and European Politics, Political Islam and International Relations.

Islam & Europe

Islam & Europe
Author: Ludo Abicht
Publisher: Leuven University Press
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2008
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9058676722

"Seven well-known influential authorities - each an active participant in the public debate on the global role of Islam past, present and future - recently presented papers at the first Intercultural Relations Conference sponsored by Forum A. A. Leysen. These important contributions, on the topic Islam Europe: Challenges and Opportunities, are presented in this volume." "Although each contributor speaks from his own distinctive point of view, a common message emerges from all seven texts. Only dialogue - between the West and Islam on the one hand, and within and among societies historically identified with Islam on the other - will overcome entrenched confrontation and negative animosity, and engender new possibilities and understandings. By encouraging free and critical drinking, dialogue paves the way to social equity and the scientific innovation that, potentially, can lead to more prosperity. In the course of the conference all seven talks led to fascinating debates. This book includes the most important questions asked and the speakers' responses. Although the question of how to actually construct the dialogue remains unsettled, this ground-breaking book takes a giant step toward an answer."--BOOK JACKET.

Orthodox Religion and Politics in Contemporary Eastern Europe

Orthodox Religion and Politics in Contemporary Eastern Europe
Author: Tobias Koellner
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2018-12-07
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1351018922

This book explores the relationship between Orthodox religion and politics in Eastern Europe, Russia and Georgia. It demonstrates how as these societies undergo substantial transformation Orthodox religion can be both a limiting and an enabling factor, how the relationship between religion and politics is complex, and how the spheres of religion and politics complement, reinforce, influence, and sometimes contradict each other. Considering a range of thematic issues, with examples from a wide range of countries with significant Orthodox religious groups, and setting the present situation in its full historical context the book provides a rich picture of a subject which has been too often oversimplified.

Metamorphoses of Religion and Spirituality in Central and Eastern Europe

Metamorphoses of Religion and Spirituality in Central and Eastern Europe
Author: Sławomir H. Zaręba
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2022-05-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 100057279X

This book offers a range of contemporary sociological reflections on new manifestations of religion, religiosity, and spirituality in Central and Eastern Europe, a region that has seen significant social and political transformation. It explores the development of cultural and religious trends, including secularisation, new spiritualit,y and a resurgence of religiosity outside of traditional structures. The theoretical and empirical contributions by established and emerging scholars address topics including: the experiences and values of young people, the role and influence of media, the relationship between public and private religion, and the position of state and institutions. The book will be of particular interest to sociologists of religion and others focused on contemporary Central and Eastern European societies.

Democracy, Law and Religious Pluralism in Europe

Democracy, Law and Religious Pluralism in Europe
Author: Ferran Requejo
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2014-09-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1317637275

In contrast with the progressive dilution of religions predicted by traditional liberal and Marxist approaches, religions remain important for many people, even in Europe, the most secularised continent. In the context of increasingly culturally diverse societies, this calls for a reinterpretation of the secular legacy of the Enlightenment and also for an updating of democratic institutions. This book focuses on a central question: are the classical secularist arrangements well equipped to tackle the challenge of fast-growing religious pluralism? Or should we move to new post-secular arrangements when dealing with pluralism in Europe? Offering an interdisciplinary approach that combines political theory and legal analysis, the authors tackle two interrelated facets of this controversial question. They begin by exploring the theoretical perspective, asking what post-secularism is and looking at its relation to secularism. The practical consequences of this debate are then examined, focusing on case-law through four empirical case studies. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of political theory, philosophy, religion and politics, European law, human rights, legal theory and socio-legal studies.

Belief, Law and Politics

Belief, Law and Politics
Author: Marie-Claire Foblets
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 313
Release: 2016-04-15
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1317175336

This edited collection gathers together the principal findings of the three-year RELIGARE project, which dealt with the question of religious and philosophical diversity in European law. Specifically, it covers four spheres of public policy and legislation where the pressure to accommodate religious diversity has been most strongly felt in Europe: employment, family life, use of public space and state support mechanisms. Embracing a forward-looking approach, the final RELIGARE report provides recommendations to governance units at the local, national and European levels regarding issues of religious pluralism and secularism. This volume adds context and critique to those recommendations and more generally opens an intellectual discussion on the topic of religion in the European Union. The book consists of two main parts: the first includes the principal findings of the RELIGARE research project, while the second is a compilation of 28 short contributions from influential scholars, legal practitioners, policy makers and activists who respond to the report and offer their views on the sensitive issue of religious diversity and the law in Europe.

Religious America, Secular Europe?

Religious America, Secular Europe?
Author: Peter Berger
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 105
Release: 2021-11-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1351904728

Europe is a relatively secular part of the world in global terms. Why is this so? And why is the situation in Europe so different from that in the United States? The first chapter of this book - the theme - articulates this contrast. The remaining chapters - the variations - look in turn at the historical, philosophical, institutional and sociological dimensions of these differences. Key ideas are examined in detail, among them: constitutional issues; the Enlightenment; systems of law, education and welfare; questions of class, ethnicity, gender and generation. In each chapter both the similarities and differences between the European and the American cases are carefully scrutinized. The final chapter explores the ways in which these features translate into policy on both sides of the Atlantic. This book is highly topical and relates very directly to current misunderstandings between Europe and America.