#135: Religion

The Economist published a special report on religions, politics, public life. I suggest every to read it when you have free time. Here are some quotes that I thought were interesting:

We thought that the relationship was between modernisation and secularisation. In fact it was between modernisation and pluralism.” Religion is no longer taken for granted or inherited; it is based around adults making a choice, going to a synagogue, temple, church or mosque. (from here)

Ignorance rules on all sides. Most Muslims seem totally unaware that Arabs can vote in Israel. Many Jews, even in Israel, are separated from the routine miseries of Palestinian life. American evangelicals are shocked to discover that some Palestinians are Christians. (from here)

Hidayet Tuksal [wife of Turkey's PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan] is a confusing figure. Headscarfed and imposing, she grew up in a strict Muslim household in Ankara. At university in the 1980s, she focused on the Koran's teaching about women. She has since made a name arguing that much of the discrimination against women in the Islamic world has scant basis in the sacred text (because Eve was described as weak and flawed, it does not follow that all women are). For this she has got into trouble with traditionalists. (from here)

All in all, the newspaper argues that there is a strong revival of religion, which in the 20th century was suppressed by secularism in US and Europe and atheist policies in Russia (Soviet Union) and China.