Religion and Politics - A Valid Divide?: Confessionality in Politics and Higher Education

Abstract: Today western democracies are generally referred to as liberal democracies. Such an understanding includes attachment not only to a functionalist democratic form, but also to certain values. In what ways must society subscribe to such values, and what happens when some citizens do not? Cavanaugh argues that if either substantivist or functionalist definitions of religion should be used to ”circle” all world religions and define these as religions, then political ideologies also qualify as religious according to such definitions. From such a perspective ”liberalism” can be perceived as one religion alongside others. So, if current democracy has these ”religious” liberal ideas built in, how does this affect citizens’ rights to exercise freedom of religion or freedom from religion? This essay analyses the Swedish Government Official Report The State and the Imams dealing with questions of confessionality, state-religion relations and higher education. By drawing on agonistic political theorists (Connolly & Mouffe) the essay highlights ways in which religion is expected to be ”liberally coded” in order to function in a liberal democracy. Said political theory also provides perspectives on how society can remain democratic although not necessarily liberal and how this could potentially deepen societal pluralism. The essay highlights how liberal values are center stage both in general, but also more particularly in higher education. In the report above the expert panel observe problems with defining religion, and religions’ place in society, although proposes a stance of ”passive neutrality” in order to formulate a proposal which fits the current political expectations and context.