Author Description
How far can religion play a part in the public sphere, or should it be only a private matter? Roger Trigg examines this question in the context of today's pluralist societies, where many different beliefs clamour for attention. Should we celebrate diversity, or are matters of truth at stake? In particular, can we maintain our love of freedom, while cutting it off from religious roots? In societies in which there are many conflicting beliefs, the place of religion is a growing political issue. Should all religions be equally welcomed in the public square? Favouring one religion over others may appear to be a failure to treat all citizens equally, yet for citizens in many countries their Christian heritage is woven into their way of life. Whether it is the issue of same-sex marriages, the right of French schoolgirls to wear Islamic headscarves, or just the public display of Christmas trees, all societies have to work out a consistent approach to the public influence of religion.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the extent to which religious belief should influence the public sphere in contemporary pluralist societies. Roger Trigg, a philosopher of religion, utilizes a framework of political theory and historical analysis to challenge the assumption that secularism requires the total privatization of faith. He argues that the historical roots of Western freedom are inextricably linked to religious traditions, posing a significant problem for societies attempting to maintain liberal values while excluding religious discourse from public life.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the tension between religious pluralism and secular governance.
- Examination of the historical connection between Western concepts of freedom and Christian heritage.
- Case studies on contemporary public controversies including same-sex marriage and religious dress codes.
- Evaluation of the political implications of treating all belief systems as equally valid in the public square.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and critics often note the book's clear, accessible prose, which makes complex philosophical arguments regarding secularism and pluralism understandable for a general audience. Experts frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the ongoing debate over the role of religion in modern democratic institutions.
Page Count:
272
Publication Date:
2007-04-19
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0199279802
ISBN-13:
9780199279807
Religion
Philosophy
Politics
Sociology
Religion and sociology
Ethics
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