Secularism

Politics, Religion, and Freedom

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Social Science, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book Secularism by Andrew Copson, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Copson ISBN: 9780192536839
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: September 22, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Andrew Copson
ISBN: 9780192536839
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: September 22, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Until the modern period the integration of church (or other religion) and state (or political life) had been taken for granted. The political order was always tied to an official religion in Christian Europe, pre-Christian Europe, and in the Arabic world. But from the eighteenth century onwards, some European states began to set up their political order on a different basis. Not religion, but the rule of law through non-religious values embedded in constitutions became the foundation of some states - a movement we now call secularism. In others, a de facto secularism emerged as political values and civil and criminal law altered their professed foundation from a shared religion to a non-religious basis. Today secularism is an increasingly hot topic in public, political, and religious debate across the globe. It is embodied in the conflict between secular republics - from the US to India - and the challenges they face from resurgent religious identity politics; in the challenges faced by religious states like those of the Arab world from insurgent secularists; and in states like China where calls for freedom of belief are challenging a state imposed non-religious worldview. In this short introduction Andrew Copson tells the story of secularism, taking in momentous episodes in world history, such as the great transition of Europe from religious orthodoxy to pluralism, the global struggle for human rights and democracy, and the origins of modernity. He also considers the role of secularism when engaging with some of the most contentious political and legal issues of our time: 'blasphemy', 'apostasy', religious persecution, religious discrimination, religious schools, and freedom of belief and thought in a divided world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Until the modern period the integration of church (or other religion) and state (or political life) had been taken for granted. The political order was always tied to an official religion in Christian Europe, pre-Christian Europe, and in the Arabic world. But from the eighteenth century onwards, some European states began to set up their political order on a different basis. Not religion, but the rule of law through non-religious values embedded in constitutions became the foundation of some states - a movement we now call secularism. In others, a de facto secularism emerged as political values and civil and criminal law altered their professed foundation from a shared religion to a non-religious basis. Today secularism is an increasingly hot topic in public, political, and religious debate across the globe. It is embodied in the conflict between secular republics - from the US to India - and the challenges they face from resurgent religious identity politics; in the challenges faced by religious states like those of the Arab world from insurgent secularists; and in states like China where calls for freedom of belief are challenging a state imposed non-religious worldview. In this short introduction Andrew Copson tells the story of secularism, taking in momentous episodes in world history, such as the great transition of Europe from religious orthodoxy to pluralism, the global struggle for human rights and democracy, and the origins of modernity. He also considers the role of secularism when engaging with some of the most contentious political and legal issues of our time: 'blasphemy', 'apostasy', religious persecution, religious discrimination, religious schools, and freedom of belief and thought in a divided world.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Prostate Cancer by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book The Economics of the Global Response to HIV/AIDS by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Fortress Plant by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book English Mythography in its European Context, 1500-1650 by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Dhammapada by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Gurry on Breach of Confidence by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Interacting Multiagent Systems by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book The Finite Element Method by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Independence and Legitimacy in the Institutional System of the European Union by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Enlightenment Contested by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book God in the Age of Science? by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book China's Remarkable Economic Growth by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Extralegal Groups in Post-Conflict Liberia by Andrew Copson
Cover of the book Oxford Desk Reference: Geriatric Medicine by Andrew Copson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy