Is Citizenship Secular?

Contemporary Western societies are undeniably diverse. This diversity has led to polarised debates that often concentrate on national identity. The present book argues for a new approach, where more promising answers to the serious question of plurality can be provided if we focus on the broader notion of citizenship. The book draws the reader towards one of the most delicate issues in these debates: religion. Little is known about how the debates over religion and citizenship intertwine. This study offers an innovative contribution to the understanding of the relationship between these important issues. Using the Netherlands as a case study, the book combines dominant lines of reasoning from political philosophical theories, integration policies and (religious and non-religious) citizens.

Renée Wagenvoorde is research fellow at the Centre for Religion, Conflict and the Public Domain, University of Groningen.