Outcome Document

Religions and Pluralism in Europe

                                                           Podgorica, Montenegro Oct. 18, 2014

The 6^th conference on „Religions and Pluralism in Europe“ was held in Podgorica, Montenegro. This theme allowed participants from diverse nations and societies in Europe and even from outside Europe to discuss contemporary social and political situations as well as current discourses and legislation surrounding pluralism, whether religious, social, or legal.

          Participants from various fields including educationalists, sociologists, political scientists, theologians, philosophers, and scholars of religious studies, including specialists in Islam.

Christianity, and Judaism, discusses a range of topics germane to the conference theme. An early distinction was made between plurality and pluralism- a state or condition that exists on the ground versus an ideology or ideal that might be supported or promoted by a state, society or religious perspective.

          Historical contexts also need to be taken into account when considering social and religious plurality in Europe including the presence of minorities, their size, and historical relations with majority populations.

          In the case of Europe, trends such as modernization, globalization, nationalism, and the post- Enlightment context have influenced state positions and social attitudes towards pluralism. British style “multi-culturalism”, French laicite, and American secularism are various examples of state attitudes that shape public positions and official regulations regarding minority populations and religions.

          While Europe religious and ethnic minorities and, in particular, Muslim minorities live in Western European contexts primarily shaped by post- World War TWO immigration patterns- in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, Muslim populations may have been present from many centuries, yet their incorporation into full and equal citizenship may yet be questioned or contested,

          Attempts were made to classify especially Muslim theologies of religious pluralism according he broad categories established by Christians thinkers, including those of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. At the same time, comparison to the Jewish tradition suggests that both modernity and the Enlightment led to a theologically diverse but orthopraxic tradition to become more diverse based on degrees of compliance with ritual practices in addition to theological beliefs. The importance and significance of both intra and inter- religious dialogue and open discussion was also observed, both within and among faith communities, to be an important, while neglected, issue within the discussion of pluralism. The need for open and respectful dialogue across sectarian and interpretive differences within Islam also was noted as a neglected area, both in traditional Muslim societies and the West. Unfortunately modern Islamic and Islamicizing states may promote a sort of doctrinal hegemony that leads to increased tensions and even sectarian violence.

          The problematizing of §radical” forms of contemporary Islam that are perceived as threatening the goals or ideals of European states was also noted. Are official responses such as controls over publications, rejecting foreign trained imams, and so on, appropriate or do these ultimately damage democratic processes?

          In the specific case if Muslims in Europe, the promotion of interfaith dialogue was noted as an important factor in combatting Islamophobia although this concept may include various attitudes, in particular awareness of shared aspects of anti- Semitism and  Islamophobia.

          Muslim theological and historical resources for plurality and pluralism were discusses including legal and social plurality in Muslim history, despite certain limitation on the construction of and treatment of the religious “Other”. Along the model of Vatican Two, strategies for Muslim aggiornamentos- reforms/ updates of traditions. Are invoked today by Muslim pluralists of liberal, philosophical or social justice- inspired persuasions, for example, renewed ijdihad. Traditional Islamic legal plurality and concepts such as the “jurisprudence of minorities” allow conservative scholars /ulema (to permit Muslims to participate in diverse societies and live under non- Muslim sovereignty in the West, a situation condemned in previous ears.

          In a globalized world alarming developments in the Middle East such as the rise of the ISIS movement inevitably impact the situation of Muslims everywhere. Practically and symbolically, the engagement and integration of Muslims in diverse societies assumes increasing importance as a challenge and opportunity for democratic religious and social pluralism.

          We are pleased to announce that next year`s conference will be convened in Skopje, Macedonia on the topic of “Religion and Violence” .