From the Enlightenment onwards, many thought that modernisation and scientific progress would herald the end of religion. Secularisation would lead to an increasingly smaller role for churches and religion. We now know that modernisation does not automatically lead to the disappearance of religion. Religion manifests itself in many forms in many parts of the world; new forms of religiosity and secularity are emerging. Migration and globalisation also create a huge diversity of views on the relationship between state and religion, and between religions and philosophies of life. These developments have only made the question of the role of religion in this era of post-secularisation more urgent. In this regard, research can lead not only to better knowledge but also to better understanding between people.
Connecting character
This question connects religious sciences, philosophy, history, law and social sciences and has descriptive and design aspects. Descriptive aspects are in a (historical) interpretation of what modernity and religion mean in our modern Western society and in non-Western societies, and how these concepts are embedded in our rule of law. Designing aspects we see in policy frameworks; often a certain conception of the role religion plays or is allowed to play in society underlies decisions on spending money in the public sphere, such as in health care or the cultural sector. Attention to this view provides opportunities for community building and gaining support for certain decisions.
