A Constructive Critique of Religion: Encounters between Christianity, Islam, and Non-religion in Secular Societies

Description

Why do some strategies for critique of religion seem to be more beneficial for constructive engagement, whereas others increase intolerance, polarization, and conflict? Through an analysis of the reasons underpinning a critique of religion in institutional contexts of secular democratic societies, A Constructive Critique of Religion explores how constructive interaction and critique can be developed across diverse interests. It shows how social and cultural conditions shaping these institutions enable and structure a critical and constructive engagement across diverging worldviews. A key argument running through the book is that to develop constructive forms of critique a more thorough and systematic investigation of resources for criticism located within religious worldviews themselves is needed. Chapters also address how critique of Islam and Christianity in particular is expressed in areas such as academia, the law, politics, media, education and parenting, with a focus on Northern Europe and North America. The interdisciplinary approach, which combines theoretical perspectives with empirical case studies, contributes to advancing studies of the complex and contentious character of religion in contemporary society. Title Page Copyright Page Contents Contributors Acknowledgments Introduction: Constructive Criticism in Secular and Religiously Diverse Society Key Concepts: Critique, Religion, and Institution What Is at Stake? Debating Religion in Secular Society Outline and Contribution of the Book Part 1: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives Chapter 1: Criticizing Religion in a Secular Democratic Society Critique of Religion A Secular and Pluralistic Society The Secularist Strategy The Restrictionist Strategy The Open Strategy The Internal Strategy Concluding Remarks Chapter 2: Secular Criticism of Religion The New Atheism Anthropological Atheism Conclusion Chapter 3: Academic Feminism as Immanent Critique: Three Feminist Theological Critiques of Patriarchy Purpose and Research Question Method and Material Theory: Immanent Critique and Tradition Analyses of the Material Discussion: Learning via Exemplars Chapter 4: Internal Critique in Muslim Context Norm-Critical Reading Islamic Theological Ethics Unthought, Unthinkable, Untouchable The Complexity of the Muslim Heritage Authorities and Secularity Criticism against Sharia Conclusion Chapter 5: Criticism and Christianity I The Primacy of Loving the Good II The Importance of Self-criticism Prior to the Criticism of Others III The Golden Rule IV The Avoidance of Schism and Persecution V Openness to Criticism from Non-Christian Sources VI Good Samaritan Virtue Part 2: Law, Politics, and Education Chapter 6: Courts as Critics: Nuancing the Insider/Outsider Binary Critique by and of the European Court of Human Rights The ECtHR and Religion at the Grassroots Level: Research Aims and Methods Religious Groups and the ECtHR4 Insights from the Papageorgiou Case Nuancing the “Insider”/“Outsider” Binary Constructiveness in the Eye of the Beholder Conclusions Chapter 7: Framing Religious Criticism in a Secular Cultural and Legal Order: Subsidies to Muslim Youth Organizations Review 2010 Review 2016 Insufficient Communication—An Infringement of the Administrative Law Evoking a Radical Religious Other in Discussions on Societal Dilemmas Continuing Communication and Constructive Religious Criticism? Chapter 8: Critique of Religion in Public Commissions on Cultural and Religious Diversity Critique of Religion Public Debates and Commissions Conclusion Chapter 9: The Crocodile and the Gardener: Swedish Radical Nationalism and Critique of Religion Swedish Radical Nationalism and Citizen Journalism Placing Critique into Context Religion and Racialization Conclusion Chapter 10: Tolerance and Criticism within Religious Education The Swedish Case: Teaching Religion in a Secular Context School: Criticism of Religion on Many Levels Theoretical Perspectives: Religious Literacy Main Goals According to Teachers: Tolerance and Critique Bringing up Problematic Sides of Religions Concluding Discussion Part 3: Civil Society, Media, and Family Chapter 11: Illusive Religion in the Public Sphere: The Debate on Confessional Independent Schools in Sweden Introduction The Open and Public Character of Religion Confessional Independent Schools in Swedish Society Civil Society and the Public Sphere Presenting the Empirical Material The Debate The Fragility of the Public Sphere Appendix Chapter 12: Criticizing Religion in Mediatized Debates Shaking Hands—Shaking Values? Mediatization and Public Debate about Religion The Handshaking Controversy in the Media Constructive Critique of Religion in Mediatized Public Debate Conclusion Chapter 13: Parenting Choices, Religious Faith, and Critical Engagement “Religious Others” in a Swedish Context Family and Values in Sweden and the Word of Life Church Four Voices from a Religiously Active Minority Strategies for Engagement Conclusions Chapter 14: Postscript: Toward Constructive Criticism of Religion Challenges for Future Research Notes Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Bibliography Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Index