Religion in the New Europe

by Michalski, Krzysztof

• ISBN13: 9789637326493
• ISBN10: 9637326499
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-06-30
• Publisher: Central European University Pr

Summary

Since the signing of the Treaty of Rome initiating the ongoing process of European integration in 1957, Western European societies have undergone a rapid, drastic and seemingly irreversible process of secularization. In this respect, one can talk of the emergence of a post-Christian Europe. At the same time, the eastward expansion of the European Union and the drafting of a European constitution have triggered fundamental questions concerning European identity and the role of Christianity in that identity. The most controversial and anxiety-producing issues, which are rarely confronted openly, are the potential integration of Turkey and the potential integration of non-European immigrants, who in most European countries happen to be overwhelmingly Muslim. The reintegration of Catholic Poland into secular Europe can also be viewed as "a difficult challenge." (And/or as "a great apostolic assignment") It is the interrelation between these phenomena that the essays in the book, written upon the invitation by the previous President of the European Union, Romano Prodi, seek to explore.

Table of Contents

Religion and European Integration	1	(22)
Charles Taylor
Religion, European Secular Identities and European Integration	23	(22)
Jose Casanova
Judeo-Christian Heritage and Secularisation
The Role of Religion in Establishing Social Cohesion	45	(19)
Daniele Hervieu-Leger
Integration and Fragmentation: Patterns of Religion in Europe	64	(21)
David Martin
Observations from America	85	(12)
Peter L. Berger
Muslims and Islam in Europe
Muslims and European Multiculturalism	97	(14)
Tariq Modood
Is Islam a Threat to Europe's Multicultural Democracies?	111	(11)
Bhikhu Parekh
Islam, European Public Space and Civility	122	(9)
Nilufer Gole
Islam in Europe: Clash of Religions or Convergence of Religiosities?	131	(14)
Olivier Roy
List of Contributors	145