The Religious Roots of Contemporary European Identity

ISBN-13: 9781441195715 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 248 str.

Lucia Faltin

Opis

This volume provides a coherent critical examination of current issues related to the religious roots of contemporary, i.e. post-1990 European identity, by analyzing the components of contemporary European identity, the presence of religion in the development of national identities, manifestation of religious roots in secular society, and the role of religion in further European integration and social inclusion. The book involves a multi and interdisciplinary approach to the theme, by bringing together scholars in history, religious studies, sociology, cultural studies, European studies, and international relations. This rigorously edited volume provides a coherent analysis of the religious roots of Europe's identity today, with particular attention to the secular context of religious communities. Europe is often perceived as secular by most of its citizens, regardless of their creed. Bearing this in mind, the authors build upon their expertise in different fields of arts and humanities to identify some of the key elements of European religious heritage and its manifestation in Europe's identity, be it secular or otherwise perceived. The authors also indicate the role these elements play in further European integration. With this focused approach, the publication identifies a number of similarities across faiths and, more holistically, vis-a-vis Europe. This serves the readers to perceive their own identity in a wider context of shared values, reaching beyond a particular faith or non-religious framework.

Spis treści

Table of contents: 

Acknowledgements

Preface
Ján Figel

Introduction: The Religious Roots of Contemporary European Identity
Lucia Faltin
 

The Islamic Challenge to European Identity'/ ‘Does Islam Challenge European Identity?
Sara Silvestri 

Re-viewing My Son the Fanatic (Udayan Prasad, 1997) after 7/7; or, Roots, Routes, and Rhizomes
Melanie J. Wright

Only Connect: A Case Study of the Influence of the English Church and the Non-Catholic Cults in the Florence of the Risorgimento

Penny Mittler

At the European roots of the inter-religious dialogue between Christian Orthodoxy and Judaism: history, the study of images, and modernity

Philippe Gardette

Historical Memory: Blessing or Burden? Russian Orthodox Christians in the Modern World

Irina Levinskaya

The Russian Orthodox Church and the European Union; Constructing a Russian Orthodox identity in Europe

Grant S. White

The impact of post-1989 changes on Polish-Jewish relations and perceptions: memories and debates

Slawomir Kapralski 

Memory and Civic Education: Holocaust and coming to terms with national history
Jolanta Ambrosewicz-Jacobs 

The Roman Catholic Church in Poland and the Dynamics of Social Identity in Polish Society

Zdzislaw Mach

The Europe of citizens vis-a-vis the Europe of nation states
Milan Lycka

The Religious Society of Czech Unitarians (RSCU) and the construction of Czech national identity

Andrew Brown
 
Pope Benedict XVI Europe and Interreligious Dialogue: A Theological Contribution
Patrick Morrow

The Quarrel over the Religious Roots of European Identity in the European Constitution and the Nature of Historical Explanation: A Catholic Coign of Vantage

Paul Kerry

Interfaith Dialogue
Stanislaw Krajewski

Afterword: How secular is Europe today?
Tomáš Halík

Bibliography
About the Authors