Reflections on religion and politics in Europe

Religion and politics in Europe

Europe has always been a religious battleground. From the conversion of pagan civilizations to Christianity in the first millennium, to the Christian Crusades and the spread of Islam throughout the Middle Ages. Between the battles of faith vs. scientific rationalism during the enlightenment, to the revolutionary movements of the Jacobean’s, the Ottoman’s, and the Marxist’s up to the new millennium. These have been both cosmic battles over whose God (if any) was more powerful, and political battles over whose belief systems should dominate. All had a lot to say about God, and most of these movements behaved violently towards those that opposed them.

Today, with the globalisation of immigration, trade, travel, and communication, more than ever we are exposed to the religions and practices of others. And whilst the tapestry of European ideas continues to change, and everyone wants a stake in society, the violence, fear, and misunderstandings remain.

A post-Christendom challenge from the right

Sacred Politics explores religion and politics in Europe, but has a special focus on the UK. It draws heavily on post-Christendom theology, and is sceptical of a close relationship between church and state. It stands as a challenge to all forms of power, violence, wealth, and big government when they become dangerous to the most vulnerable in society. Unusually however for post-Christendom theology, it leans to the centre-right of British politics rather than to the far-left. Rather it acts as a challenge to all who place excessive trust in either the state or the market to deliver social justice, social cohesion, and effective public services. This includes politicians, the media, think-tanks, and many Christian groups.

Cultured conversation not cultural war 

The blog seeks to encourage open dialogue, honest criticism of all beliefs, and a level playing field for all communities to engage politically without a single one having a privileged right to dominate. This blog celebrates the great changes have taken place which have improved the lives of those of us from ethnics minorities, lesbian & gay communities, or who live with disabilities. However it laments the vested interest groups who have tried to make certain discussions off limits by naming people who disagree as "bigots." This blog stands firm that, whether we agree or disagree with those different from ourselves, understanding and cohesion can only come from safe discussion and we silence "offensiveness" at our democratic peril. As European culture fragments across the religious divide the danger of conflict increases. Therefore Sacred Politics will encourage cohesion through asking tough questions of all religious communities and any beliefs systems that engage religion directly.

Sacred Politics asks how culture can flourish with so many conflicting world-views held by so many different communities? It will argue that, whilst the European Union (EU) was established to transcend the nationalist and ethnic schisms which had brought so much war to the continent during the 19th and 20th centuries, today the EU needs to address the religious faultiness dividing Europe. Only then will we be able to defeat home-grown terrorism, far-right ideology, and the politics of grievance. Only then will people of different religions and non-religious world-views feel safe enough to accept each other differences without violence.