The 2013 International Metropolis -konfrenssi Tampereella 9 - 13.9.2013

[mietinen]

The 2013 International Metropolis Conference (plenary 7), 9-13.9.2013

Religion, integration, and social cohesion

Discussions in the West of the integration of religious minorities have been cast within a framework of state secularism that expects religion to remain a private matter of individual belief and conscience. However, this framework's long-term viability is being called into question as we witness a resurgence of religious belief and practice throughout the world, including in many countries in the West and among many immigrants to states that have considered themselves secular. Therefore, the integration of immigrants with strong religious affiliations has become more complex, not simply because some countries are seeing a growing diversity of religious belief but because of pressures on governments to weaken the grip of secularism with respect to public affairs. Further complicating the contemporary integration situation is the transnational reach of some religious communities which some believe has the potential to weaken the internal cohesion of immigrant-receiving societies. This panel will bring an empirical sobriety to what has the potential to become an emotionally-driven debate.

[shezi]

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