The normative structure of multicultural secularism

Thompson, Simon; Modood, Tariq

Abstract

Our aim in this article is to describe the normative structure of what we call multicultural secularism, and to make a case for this particular conception of state–religion relations. On our account, multicultural secularism is secular since it maintains an appropriate degree of autonomy of the state from religion, and of religion from the state. The state does not interfere unjustifiably in religious matters, and religious communities do not have an excessive influence on the state. At the same time, we believe that such mutual autonomy—and hence secularity—can be maintained even when the state provides religions with a range of forms of recognition and accommodation. It is in this sense that our conception of secularism is multicultural, since it takes multiculturalism’s commitment to the positive valuing and recognition of difference and applies this specifically to religion. In this article, we intend to show why it should do so.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 26, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Dec 2, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 15, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 16, 2025
• Journal: Oxford Journal of Law and Religion
• Print ISSN: 2047-0770
• Electronic ISSN: 2047-0789
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ojlr/rwae030
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13549718