Abstract
This article begins by clarifying the meanings attributed to pluralism; it then places the European case in a global context. The body of the article looks at the management of religious pluralism in Europe in terms of commonality and difference. At one and the same time, Europe is becoming increasingly secular and religiously plural—both trends are important if we are to understand the issues at stake. A close examination of four individual cases (Britain, France, the Netherlands and Greece) reveals, however, that it is important not to jump to conclusions regarding outcomes. Each country must be considered on its own terms. The final section introduces a rather different feature: the European Court of Human Rights, noting its place in the management of religious pluralism. A growing jurisprudence emanating from the Court is becoming increasingly influential.
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Notes
The economic situation in Europe has ebbed and flowed since 1945. Broadly speaking, new sources of labour are sought after in times of economic expansion, but are noticeably less welcome when the economy contracts and unemployment rises. The competition for jobs, housing and school places breeds resentments. Since 2004—a key date in the building of the European Union—there has been a notable movement of labour from East to West. This too caused difficulties following the global economic downturn that occurred in 2008.
The idea that religion is essentially a private matter has been embedded in European self-understanding for centuries rather than decades. The Peace of Westphalia (1648) constitutes a pivotal moment in this process.
Similar reservations towards specifically religious nomenclature can be seen in the social scientific community which, by and large, has been more at ease dealing with the secular categories of race and ethnicity.
That said the nature and provision of religious education in the different parts of the British school system remain controversial. How should a historically confessional subject be taught in a society which is both increasingly secular and religiously diverse?
It is important to note that the House of Lords is in the process of protracted reform. The position of the Bishops in the House of Lords may change. See http://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/lords-history/lords-reform/ for more details (accessed 12 December 2013).
In parenthesis it is worth noting that the position of the Church of Scotland is rather different, both theologically and constitutionally.
See for example the carefully prepared statements on the Prince of Wales’ official website: http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/promoting-and-protecting/faith (accessed 12 December 2013)
Full covering (i.e. the niqab or the burqa) remains however controversial and raises difficult questions about security.
The extensive work of Jean Baubérot regarding laïcité is important in this respect. A list of his influential publications can be found on http://www.gsrl.cnrs.fr/spip.php%3Farticle153&lang=fr.html (accessed 12 December 2013).
For more information about this project and the publications emanating from it, see http://www.lboro.ac.uk/media/wwwlboroacuk/content/socialsciences/downloads/FINAL_REPORT_Fitna.pdf (accessed 12 December 2013).
An excellent overview of the religious situation in Greece, including the position of religious minorities can be found in Kokosalakis and Fokas (2012).
The Greek constitution can be found on http://www.hri.org/docs/syntagma/artcl25.html#A1 (accessed 12 December 2013). See also Kyriazopoulos (2001).
The details of this case, including the partly concurring opinion of Judge Pettiti, can be read on http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-57827#{"itemid":["001-57827"]} (accessed 12 December 2013).
See also the statistics available at http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Stats_violation_1959_2012_ENG.pdf (accessed 12 December 2013).
See The European Convention on Human Rights, available at http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Convention_ENG.pdf (accessed 22 July 2014).
See The European Court of Human Rights: Questions and Answers, available at http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Questions_Answers_ENG.pdf (accessed 12 December 2013).
The details of these cases can be read on http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-115881#{"itemid":["001-115881"]} (accessed 12 December 2013).
See also http://www.eliamep.gr/en/descriptions/project-descriptions/grassrootsmobilise/ (accessed 22 July 2014).
Further Reading
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Davie, G. Managing Pluralism: The European Case. Soc 51, 613–622 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-014-9834-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-014-9834-6