Short description:

Examining the challenging relationship between religion, science, and the state, and exploring literature on religion in Western and Muslim-majority societies, this volume is essential reading to those interested in philosophy of religion, religion and science, the theory of modernization, and the politicization of religion.

Long description:

In Religion in Modern Societies, Gunnar Skirbekk examines the challenging relationship between religion, science, and the state, and explores literature on religion in Western and Muslim-majority societies.

Through the lens of modernity theory and the perspective of philosophy of science, key issues are discussed, including freedom of expression and the interaction between religion and modern institutions. Chapters include:

? Science and Religion

? The Problem of Evil

? Freedom of Expression

? Multiculturalism and the Welfare State

? Religion as Social Integration

? Islam in a Historical Class Perspective

The topics discussed are universal issues which in principle hold relevance for all of us living in a modern science-based world and societies in crisis.

This volume is essential reading to those with an interest in philosophy of religion, religion and science, the work of Jürgen Habermas, the theory of modernization, and the politicization of religion.

Table of Contents:

Part 1. Science and Religion Chapter 1. Eight points about science and religion in modern science-based societies in crisis  Chapter 2. To speak of God in light of the problem of evil Part 2. Religion and the Constitutional State  Chapter 3. Freedom of expression and cartoons  Chapter 4. Offence, the limit of freedom of expression? Part 3. Religion and modern institutions Chapter 5. Multiculturalism and the welfare state? Part 4. Religion in modern societies Chapter 6. Religion as social integration: Jürgen Habermas  Chapter 7. Islam in a historical class perspective: Ahmet Kuru  Chapter 8. Religion in science-based and institutionally differentiated societies in crisis: Concluding Remarks  Info on previous work  Index