The Meaning of Religious Freedom in the Public Square

Book info: The Meaning of Religious Freedom in the Public Square (Hardcover, 310 pages) – Pickwick Publications, 2020. Language: English.

This book offers a new perspective on religious freedom. Its central theme is to elucidate the meaning of religion and freedom in discussions related to religious freedom and the place of religion in the public square. One often hears that either religion must be tamed by restricting its access to public power, or that in the name of neutrality and equality no religious reasoning may be used in the political sphere, as it may be coercive to other worldviews. There is also the idea that "religion" is a feature of human life essentially distinct from "secular" features such as politics and economics, and which has a peculiarly dangerous inclination to promote violence. Thus, the meaning of religious freedom in the twenty-first century seems uncertain. For that reason, it is necessary to clarify the meaning of religious freedom, especially in relation to the public sphere, in order to offer an answer that will guide us in discerning issues of religious freedom. Editorial Reviews Review

"Pablo Munoz Iturrieta has broken new ground by tilling the fields of historic texts on religion and religious freedom. This book is a primer on some of the leading thinkers on the role of religion in the public sphere. The proposal to re-think our definitions helps move this important debate in a positive direction."

--Janet Epp Buckingham, LLC Director; Professor of Political Studies and History, Trinity Western University

"This book is a must for anyone interested in religious freedom and the place of religion in the public square. Pablo Munoz Iturrieta successfully makes the case that we should understand religious freedom from a new perspective in order to define the place of religion in the secular public square."

--Eduardo Andujar, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Dominican University

About the Author Pablo M. Iturrieta holds a PhD in political philosophy. He has lectured on issues related to religious freedom at prestigious international conferences all over the world, as well as at Princeton University, Boston College, Cambridge University, McGuill University, Dominican University, and the European University, among others. In 2018, he was the recipient of the prestigious Charles Taylor Prize for his work on secularism, religious freedom, and the public sphere.