Religion after Secularization in Australia

Religion's persistent and new visibility in political life has prompted a significant global debate. One of this debate's key features concerns the nature and impact of secularization. This collection of essays draws together leading sociologists, historians, philosophers of religion, and political theorists in order to provide a broad and up-to-date account of religion after secularization. Contributors explore the meaning and conceptual legacies of religion, as well as the unique features of the Australian case such as religion as it relates to law, education, gender, media, and radical political movements. Intervening in the current debate, this book provides summative accounts of the historical, cultural, and legal interactions that have informed Australia's relationship to religion and secularization. Contributors critically analyze and engage with secular political theory concerning the public sphere, while also dissecting deliberative politics and democratic practices.This book propels the debate over religion's place in public life in new directions and promotes urgently needed public understanding.

This very welcome and interdisciplinary volume addresses both sides of the question. It presents, first, a variety of Australian perspectives on the past and possible futures of secularization. It offers, in addition, a theoretical contribution to questions of secularism, democracy, and modernity through a re-examination of key debates in philosophy, theology, and social theory. (Stephanie Wright, Reading Religion, readingreligion.org, May, 2016)

Autorentext
Paul Babie, Adelaide Law School, Australia; Roland Boer, Renmin University, China; Gary D. Bouma Monash University, Australia; Hilary M. Carey, University of Bristol, UK; Stephen A. Chavura, independent scholar, Australia; Matthew Chrulew, Curtin University, Australia; Michael Hoelzl, The University of Manchester, UK; Marion Maddox, Macquarie University, Australia; Kathleen McPhillips, University of Newcastle, Australia; Holly Randell-Moon, University of Otago, New Zealand; Timothy Stanley, University of Newcastle, Australia; Ian Tregenza, Macquarie University, Australia

Inhalt

Introduction, Timothy Stanley
Part I: The Australian Case

1. A Political History of the Secular in Australia, 1788-1945, Stephen A. Chavura and Ian Tregenza

2. Legacies of Sectarianism and the Convict Past in Australia, Hilary M. Carey

3. Framing the Kingdom: Growth and Change in a Conservative Social Movement Network, Marion Maddox

4. Australian Secularism, Whiteness, and the British Monarchy, Holly Randell-Moon

5. The Place of Religion in Australian Sociolegal Interaction, Paul Babie

6. Whose Rights Matter? Women's Rights, Anti-discrimination Legislation, and the Case of Religious Exceptions, Kathleen McPhillips

   Part II: After Secularization

7. Genealogies of the Secular, Matthew Chrulew

8. Freedom, Democracy, and the Socialist Transformation, Roland Boer

9. Decisionism under Postdemocratic Conditions, Michael Hoelzl

10. Utopia and the Public Sphere, Timothy Stanley

    Epilogue: Religion and Other Ideologies in Political Life, Gary D. Bouma