Interfaith Dialogue

Interfaith Dialogue Panel

Monday, October 11, 2010,11.30–13.00, Academy of Sciences, Hall 1

 

Opening Remarks: Michael Melchior 

Moderator: Surendra Munshi 

Panelists: José Casanova, Joseph Maïla, Hasan Abu Nimah, Grace Davie

 

The globalization of today’s world brings unprecedented conditions for encounters between diverse ethnic, cultural and religious traditions. These encounters and interactions bring with them a number of problems and risks and we can observe the growth of religious intolerance in several places around the world. In some European countries, we can see the rebirth of anti-Semitism and the rise of Islamophobia whilst some Islamic countries have noticeably curtailed the religious and civil rights of Christians. In a number of African countries, there has been violence between groups from different religious traditions, and similar things have happened in certain areas of the Indian subcontinent. What are the actual origins of today’s religious intolerance? To what extent are these origins genuinely religious, and what role is played by factors such as political or cultural influences and interests? What place does secularization have in this issue and in its resolution? Is it a means of preventing religious intolerance or just a temporary way of avoiding the search for a real solution? In what way is it possible to prevent religious xenophobia and to support mutual tolerance or even mutual dialogue? What part can state bodies play in this process and what is the role of religious institutions?

Interfaith Dialogue Panel

Monday, October 11, 2010,14.30–16.00, Institut Francais

Organized in cooperation with the Embassy of France

 

Moderator: Pierre Lévy 

Panelists: Jiří Schneider, Joseph Maïla, Michael Melchior, William Cook

 

Despite the secularizing tendencies of the past century, the influence and role of religion in global politics has been growing in recent decades, and religious issues have increasingly become part of the political agenda. Religion has been appearing more and more frequently in foreign policy and diplomacy, in particular. Besides this, religious representatives are now not only intervening in the political processes that have a direct bearing on religion, but are also influencing an ever-increasing number of political events that do not have a predominantly religious dimension. In some regions, religious fundamentalism has even become a major player on the political scene. What actually is the relationship between religion and politics, and between religious institutions and the state? Can religious institutions become involved in foreign policy? Within the scope of diplomacy, can faith based communities contribute in some way to resolving and preventing conflicts, and become “part of the solution”? How can foreign policy and diplomacy prevent religious conflicts and contribute to religious reconciliation? Can religious representatives contribute in some way to reducing the influence of religious fundamentalism in international politics and political conflicts?

Lecture and Discussion

Monday, October 11, 2010,15.00–16.30, Hussite Theological Faculty

Organized in cooperation with the Hussite Theological Faculty of the Charles University

Moderator: Zdeněk Vojtíšek

Participant: Grace Davie

Interfaith Dialogue Panel

Tuesday, October 12, 2010,9.15–10.45, Žofín Palace, Conference Hall

 

Keynote Speech: David Rosen 

Moderator: Vartan Gregorian 

Panelists: Shirin Ebadi, Satish Kumar, Fyodor Lukyanov, Hasan Abu Nimah

 

The relationship between religion and territory is a subject that is becoming ever more pertinent. The issue of place and role of religion in local conflict in particular is gaining in importance. Many contemporary territorial conflicts have a religious dimension, and the media typically interprets them as primarily religious. At the same time, many experts, religious leaders and politicians point out that things are not so simple; religion has in many cases essentially become a hostage in battles for land and political power, rather than the actual cause of such conflicts. What is the real place of religion in territorial conflicts? Why are territorial conflicts that also possess a religious dimension so frequently regarded as primarily religious in nature? Is it possible to avoid such interpretations? How can faith based communities contribute to the resolution of such conflicts? What is the view of World religions on the whole relationship between state and religion and on the role of the latter?

Interfaith Dialogue Panel

Tuesday, October 12, 2010,11.00–12.30, Žofín Palace, Conference Hall

 

Keynote Speech: José Casanova 

Moderator: Doris Donnelly 

Panelists: Gilles Kepel, Tomáš Halík, Grace Davie

 

“The City of Man – a Secular City?” The ideas St. Augustine formulated in his work “The City of God” have influenced Western thought for over a thousand years. However, the modern concept of secularization has provided us with a new way of understanding the relationship between society and religion. Nevertheless with the globalization process this question has changed fundamentally. Religion plays a significant role in society again and its influence on the political processes and the shaping of the life of society is growing. In the context of secularization, hence, following question is becoming pertinent: will the West be a “Secular City”, in the words of Harvey Cox, or are there other possible scenarios? How is the secularization process changing in response to present globalization? Is secular society in Europe and its relationship to religion also changing? What influence does the process of globalization and urbanization have on changes of the global religious scene? How is the character and role of traditional religions changing? What are the characteristics and limits of secularization in different regions and religions of the world?

Interfaith Dialogue Debate

Tuesday, October 12, 2010,13.15–14.45, Academy of Sciences, Hall 1

 

Moderator: Anna Teresa Arco 

Panelists: Gilles Kepel, José Luis García Paneque, Shirin Ebadi, Tomáš Halík

 

According to many significant western thinkers, religion is an important grounding for democracy. Totalitarian régimes often tend to fight religion as an undesirable opposition element. Despite that, in many countries faith-based communities and individuals have contributed significantly to the peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. At the same time, however, in other parts of the world, religious ideas have been used to support authoritarian régimes that violate human rights and democratic principles. Is religion generally a characteristic element of the democratization processes? Within this question, are there differences between individual religions? In what way can religions and faith-based communities contribute to democratization and adherence to human rights in countries that have a repressive and undemocratic system? What forms of help can people in free countries provide to religious groups in totalitarian states who are attempting to bring about democratization and respect for human rights? In what way is it possible to prevent the misuse of religious beliefs to shore up authoritarian regimes, or systems that violate human rights and democratic principles?