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Religion in Public Life

Must Faith Be Privatized?

Roger Trigg author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:15th Mar '07

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Religion in Public Life cover

How far can religion play a part in the public sphere, or should it be only a private matter? Roger Trigg examines this question in the context of today's pluralist societies, where many different beliefs clamour for attention. Should we celebrate diversity, or are matters of truth at stake? In particular, can we maintain our love of freedom, while cutting it off from religious roots? In societies in which there are many conflicting beliefs, the place of religion is a growing political issue. Should all religions be equally welcomed in the public square? Favouring one religion over others may appear to be a failure to treat all citizens equally, yet for citizens in many countries their Christian heritage is woven into their way of life. Whether it is the issue of same-sex marriages, the right of French schoolgirls to wear Islamic headscarves, or just the public display of Christmas trees, all societies have to work out a consistent approach to the public influence of religion.

This is as robust a defence of the claim of religious faith to be heard in the public square as one could wish. The stance is orthodox Chrisitan; the voice is the voice of sanity and calm reason. The book is an antidote to the unthinking political correctness with which we are regaled day by day government ministers and sections of the media. It is truly a tract for our times... [a] courteous but devastating polemic * Paul Avis, Ecclesiastical Law Journal *
An important book on a vital issue * Peter Costello The Irish Catholic d *
This book is extremely timely, and it will help policy-makers, students and anyone interested in the role of religion in public life to reach a much clearer understanding of the issues involved...Religion in Public Life is an invaluable resource in helping us to think through this new situation with attention to detail but without losing sight of the subject as a whole. * Anthony J. Carroll sj, The Way *
a fertile, rich and timely book. * Gavin D'Costa, IJPT *
Would that more teachers and commentators had the clarity of thought and expression of Professor Trigg. * John Turnbull, New Directions *
Roger Trigg comprehensively addresses...issues * Stephen Beer, Tribune *
Informative and thought-provoking. * Jonathan Wright, Catholic Herald *

ISBN: 9780199279807

Dimensions: 210mm x 140mm x 20mm

Weight: 401g

272 pages