Overview

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-à-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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Lucia Faltin ,  Melanie J. Wright
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.300kg
ISBN:  

9780826494825

ISBN 10:   082649482
Pages:   248
Publication Date:   01 September 2007
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Language:   English

Table of Contents

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

Reviews

<p> Many have spoken of the increased secularization of Europe. This excellent volume from an international conference in Cambridge offers a comprehensive overview of the current debate, placing it as well in a historical context. It takes up ongoing questions such as antisemitism but also more contemporary ones such as an intense discussion over the role of Islam. Perspectives come from all parts of Europe--West, Central, East and from all the major European religious traditions. An indispensable addition to this vital debate. <p> John T Pawlikowski, OSM, Ph.D, Professor of Social Ethics, Director, Catholic-Jewish Studies Program, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA.--John T Pawlikowski

'The book is multidisciplinary in its approach and combines insights from history, social sciences, philosophy, religious studies and theology. Although it only occasionally touches upon educational issues, the book gives useful perspectives on how to deal with European complexity in the context of civic and religious education.'--,

Author Information

Lucia Faltin: Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations; Director of International Programmes and Coordinator of a course on History of Jewish-Christian Relations in the Master of Studies programme, University of Cambridge, UK. Melanie J. Wright was Academic Director of the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, and a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University, UK. She is the author of numerous articles and books including Understanding Judaism (Orchard Academic), and Religion and Film: An Introduction (I. B. Tauris). With Lucia Faltin she co-edited The Religious Roots of Contemporary European Identity, which is also published by Continuum.

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