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Is Europa nog Christelijk?
As Europe wrangles over questions of national identity, nativism and immigration, Olivier Roy interrogates the place of Christianity, foundation of Western identity. Do secularism and Islam really pose threats to the continent's 'Christian values'? What will be the fate of Christianity in Europe?
Rather than repeating the familiar narrative of decline, Roy challenges the significance of secularized Western nations' reduction of Christianity to a purely cultural force- relegated to issues such as abortion, euthanasia and equal marriage. He illustrates that, globally, quite the opposite has occurred: Christianity is now universalized, and detached from national identity. Not only has it taken hold in the Global South, generally in a more socially conservative form than in the West, but it has also 'returned' to Europe, following immigration from former colonies. Despite attempts within Europe to nationalize or even racialize it, Christianity's future is global, non-European and immigrant-as the continent's Churches well know.
This short but bracing book confirms Roy's reputation as one of the most acute observers of our times. It represents a persuasive and novel vision of religion's place in national life today.
Rather than repeating the familiar narrative of decline, Roy challenges the significance of secularized Western nations' reduction of Christianity to a purely cultural force- relegated to issues such as abortion, euthanasia and equal marriage. He illustrates that, globally, quite the opposite has occurred: Christianity is now universalized, and detached from national identity. Not only has it taken hold in the Global South, generally in a more socially conservative form than in the West, but it has also 'returned' to Europe, following immigration from former colonies. Despite attempts within Europe to nationalize or even racialize it, Christianity's future is global, non-European and immigrant-as the continent's Churches well know.
This short but bracing book confirms Roy's reputation as one of the most acute observers of our times. It represents a persuasive and novel vision of religion's place in national life today.
158 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2019
5 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Olivier Roy
88 books199 followersA professor at the European University Institute in Florence (Italy); he was previously a research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and a lecturer for both the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) and the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (IEP).
From 1984 to 2008, he has acted as a consultant to the French Foreign Ministry.
In 1988, Roy served as a United Nations Office for Coordinating Relief in Afghanistan (UNOCA) consultant.
Beginning in August 1993, Roy served as special OSCE representative to Tajikistan until February 1994, at which time he was selected as head of the OSCE mission to Tajikistan, a position he held until October 1994.
Roy received an "Agrégation" in Philosophy and a Master's in Persian language and civilization in 1972 from the French Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales.
In 1996, he received his PhD in Political Science from the IEP.
Roy is the author of numerous books on subjects including Iran, Islam, Asian politics. These works include Globalized Islam: The search for a new ummah, Today's Turkey: A European State? and The Illusions of September 11.
He also serves on the editorial board of the academic journal Central Asian Survey.
His best-known book, L'Echec de l'Islam politique; The Failure of Political Islam. It is a standard text for students of political Islam.
Roy wrote widely on the subject of the 2005 civil unrest in France saying they should not be seen as religiously inspired as some commentators said.
His most recent work is Secularism Confronts Islam (Columbia, 2007). The book offers a perspective on the place of Islam in secular society and looks at the diverse experiences of Muslim immigrants in the West. Roy examines how Muslim intellectuals have made it possible for Muslims to live in a secularized world while maintaining the identity of a "true believer."
From 1984 to 2008, he has acted as a consultant to the French Foreign Ministry.
In 1988, Roy served as a United Nations Office for Coordinating Relief in Afghanistan (UNOCA) consultant.
Beginning in August 1993, Roy served as special OSCE representative to Tajikistan until February 1994, at which time he was selected as head of the OSCE mission to Tajikistan, a position he held until October 1994.
Roy received an "Agrégation" in Philosophy and a Master's in Persian language and civilization in 1972 from the French Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales.
In 1996, he received his PhD in Political Science from the IEP.
Roy is the author of numerous books on subjects including Iran, Islam, Asian politics. These works include Globalized Islam: The search for a new ummah, Today's Turkey: A European State? and The Illusions of September 11.
He also serves on the editorial board of the academic journal Central Asian Survey.
His best-known book, L'Echec de l'Islam politique; The Failure of Political Islam. It is a standard text for students of political Islam.
Roy wrote widely on the subject of the 2005 civil unrest in France saying they should not be seen as religiously inspired as some commentators said.
His most recent work is Secularism Confronts Islam (Columbia, 2007). The book offers a perspective on the place of Islam in secular society and looks at the diverse experiences of Muslim immigrants in the West. Roy examines how Muslim intellectuals have made it possible for Muslims to live in a secularized world while maintaining the identity of a "true believer."
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September 6, 2020Αν και επικεντρώνεται στις Δυτικές Εκκλησίες και κυρίως στη Γαλλία και την Ρωμαιοκαθολική εκκλησία παρέχει μια πολύ χρήσιμη συζήτηση, που βοηθάει τον αναγνώστη να αποσαφηνίσει πρωτίστως τα ερωτήματα της σχέσης των κρατών με τη θρησκεία και κατόπιν να συνειδητοποιήσει ποιες μπορεί να είναι οι απαντήσεις μακριά από τις κραυγές που συνήθως συνοδεύουν τέτοιου είδους δημόσιο διάλογο.
A very interesting discussion of the relationship between Europeans and Christianity. It gives the reader context and helps clarify the questions rather than just provide ready made answers.
A very interesting discussion of the relationship between Europeans and Christianity. It gives the reader context and helps clarify the questions rather than just provide ready made answers.
March 27, 2025
3.5-75/5 ⭐️
slovenski prevod prebrala
slovenski prevod prebrala
January 25, 2021
Όπως πάντα, ο Roy είναι απολαυστικός και διεισδυτικός, αν και εδώ το μεγαλύτερο επίτευγμα είναι το πως καταφέρνει να είναι τόσο περιεκτικός στο ευρύ και πολύπλοκο θέμα που σκαλίζει. Το βιβλίο είναι ένας εύληπτος οδηγός για οποιονδήποτε θέλει μια πρώτη επαφή στην τρικιμιώδη σχέση και συνύπαρξη του θρησκευτικού και κοσμικού στην Ευρώπη, με έμφαση στην Καθολική Εκκλησία και την προσπάθειά (;) της να εκμοντερνιστεί παράλληλα με τις ευρωπαϊκές κοινότητες. Ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον έχει η περίεργη σχέση μεταξύ της σχέσης με το Ισλάμ (και την είσοδό του στην Ευρώπη) και το πως αυτή, ειδικά όταν είναι εχθρική, καταλήγει να εκκοσμικεύει ακόμα περισσότερο την χριστιανική παράδοση.
August 16, 2020
Το βιβλίο του Roy απαντά στο ερώτημα που θέτει στον τίτλο του με έξυπνο τρόπο χρησιμοποιώντας την ιστορία, την πολιτική και σύγχρονα παραδείγματα φτάνοντας στο σήμερα.
Είναι μια επίκαιρη συζήτηση που σίγουρα στην κοσμική Γαλλία έχει βρει πρόσφορο έδαφος.
Είναι μια επίκαιρη συζήτηση που σίγουρα στην κοσμική Γαλλία έχει βρει πρόσφορο έδαφος.
April 30, 2020
It would be fair to say that these days there's little agreement on what being a Christian might entail; some who apply that label to themselves deny it to specific others on exclusivist or ideological grounds, perhaps theology although that's hard to say because some exclusionists rely on subjective experience more than attending to history or a particular theology and practice. Some might identify themselves as Christian simply because it is part of their culture, even though they don't practice, or may not even believe in a God. This is a personal Census dilemma, apparently shared globally.
These are some of the things raised by Olivier Roy in this very interesting book. They can of course be applied to areas other than Europe and one of the bonuses of this text is that you can read it and compare it with your part of the world. Although Roy writes clearly, it's an advantage to know some history, particularly church and European.
Themes include the conflict between church and state; the globalisation of Christianity, different ideas of the secular/profane and the sacred in law and opinion, and issues like immigration and other religions such as Islam. The author points out that these are not simply left versus right issues as positions vary, both over time and at the present.
Historically the Treaty of Westphalia is a core event for both Christianity and the rise of nation-states. It's a means to distinguish between Catholicism and Protestantism as well as within those two labels, presenting a variety of thought. Considering Protestantism to be more secularised (he explains why) emphasis is placed on the aims of Catholic clergy, particularly the Papacy, over a number of centuries. This allows for an informative discussion on the notion of religious freedom.
Most of the discussion revolves around France and Italy and other European countries, but there is a reference to Australia and, several to particularly the US, where issues are different in many ways.
I thought everything was presented clearly and factually, although towards the end the monastery founder Benedict was placed in the wr0ng century, which may be a translation error. I thought the ideas and observations in the book can be usefully applied elsewhere.
It was a very enjoyable morning read in some sheltered quiet, and occasionally some music.
These are some of the things raised by Olivier Roy in this very interesting book. They can of course be applied to areas other than Europe and one of the bonuses of this text is that you can read it and compare it with your part of the world. Although Roy writes clearly, it's an advantage to know some history, particularly church and European.
Themes include the conflict between church and state; the globalisation of Christianity, different ideas of the secular/profane and the sacred in law and opinion, and issues like immigration and other religions such as Islam. The author points out that these are not simply left versus right issues as positions vary, both over time and at the present.
Historically the Treaty of Westphalia is a core event for both Christianity and the rise of nation-states. It's a means to distinguish between Catholicism and Protestantism as well as within those two labels, presenting a variety of thought. Considering Protestantism to be more secularised (he explains why) emphasis is placed on the aims of Catholic clergy, particularly the Papacy, over a number of centuries. This allows for an informative discussion on the notion of religious freedom.
Most of the discussion revolves around France and Italy and other European countries, but there is a reference to Australia and, several to particularly the US, where issues are different in many ways.
I thought everything was presented clearly and factually, although towards the end the monastery founder Benedict was placed in the wr0ng century, which may be a translation error. I thought the ideas and observations in the book can be usefully applied elsewhere.
It was a very enjoyable morning read in some sheltered quiet, and occasionally some music.
December 14, 2024
The theme of the book is in the title "Is Europe Christian?".
Christianity basicly shaped Europe so much that Europe with no christianity is unthinkable. All of the modern values like human rights, feminism, free speech etc. can be traced to christan morals and ethics.
But as author points out christianity is no more core of European identity. Europe is more and more threatened by rise of Islam. Islam gives rise to populist nationalist movements that defend European culture very much based in christianity (like old churches and monestaries) but at the same time don't belive a word of catholic teachings.
The dinamics of old christian continent and new secular modernist threatened by islam is in core of the book.
Author gives many valuable insights in this dinamics. The book is very good and worth of your time.
Christianity basicly shaped Europe so much that Europe with no christianity is unthinkable. All of the modern values like human rights, feminism, free speech etc. can be traced to christan morals and ethics.
But as author points out christianity is no more core of European identity. Europe is more and more threatened by rise of Islam. Islam gives rise to populist nationalist movements that defend European culture very much based in christianity (like old churches and monestaries) but at the same time don't belive a word of catholic teachings.
The dinamics of old christian continent and new secular modernist threatened by islam is in core of the book.
Author gives many valuable insights in this dinamics. The book is very good and worth of your time.
April 7, 2025
this book was great. i loved it. i have to run to my yoga class so i cannot write a proper review but if i don't write something now i will forget to write anything.
i learned a lot reading this book; it is very enlightening (and by that, i mean the proper kind of enlightenment and not the historical kind); it is very objective, which is pretty difficult with a subject such as the one it tackles; and it is very necessary, too.
maybe i'll read all of Mr. Roy's books!
i learned a lot reading this book; it is very enlightening (and by that, i mean the proper kind of enlightenment and not the historical kind); it is very objective, which is pretty difficult with a subject such as the one it tackles; and it is very necessary, too.
maybe i'll read all of Mr. Roy's books!
November 7, 2021
Olivier répond au titre de son livre en décryptant le triangle composé de ses 3 sommets; religion, culture et identité. Il dévoile également l'incohérence de la politique identitaire des partis de droite en Europe.
February 2, 2021
Una lunga carrellata storica, ricca di dati e molto meditata, sulla vicenda, spesso contorta e per nulla lineare (come tutte le vicende storiche, del resto), della religione in Europa, e di come la prima sia stata via via, a partire dal basso medioevo sino al giorno d'oggi, sempre più marginalizzata nelle società in cui viviamo e svuotata del suo contenuto propriamente religioso.
Se la religione sembra fare un ritorno (e in questo l'autore ha pienamente ragione), è come mero "marcatore culturale", cioè fattore identitario. È indubbio che l'impianto metafisico e dottrinale forte del cristianesimo (l'incarnazione di dio, la resurrezione dei corpi, la speranza in un aldilà, ecc.) oggi susciti nelle popolazioni europee soprattutto scetticismo, e che alle chiese ci si rivolga quasi solo come a delle agenzie morali, che diano al massimo un vago indirizzo su ciò che è giusto e sbagliato nell'aldiquà. E questo decorso, questo progressivo scollamento tra chiese e popoli, io penso sia inevitabile in un Mondo che, a partire dalla fine del Medioevo, ha subìto cambiamenti sempre più accelerati a fronte di religioni che, invece, pretendono di parlare a nome di verità eterne e immutabili (specie nell'àmbito morale).
Dissento con l'autore del libro quando afferma che non si stia assistendo, negli ultimi anni, al ritorno di una sorta di nuovo puritanesimo: i segnali che si intravvedono in tal senso nel corpo sociale sono contraddittorî, ma secondo me il rischio esiste, e questa volta la pruderie non proviene dalle religioni... ma questa è un'altra storia (che esula certamente dal libro in questione ) e si dovrà raccontare un'altra volta.
Se la religione sembra fare un ritorno (e in questo l'autore ha pienamente ragione), è come mero "marcatore culturale", cioè fattore identitario. È indubbio che l'impianto metafisico e dottrinale forte del cristianesimo (l'incarnazione di dio, la resurrezione dei corpi, la speranza in un aldilà, ecc.) oggi susciti nelle popolazioni europee soprattutto scetticismo, e che alle chiese ci si rivolga quasi solo come a delle agenzie morali, che diano al massimo un vago indirizzo su ciò che è giusto e sbagliato nell'aldiquà. E questo decorso, questo progressivo scollamento tra chiese e popoli, io penso sia inevitabile in un Mondo che, a partire dalla fine del Medioevo, ha subìto cambiamenti sempre più accelerati a fronte di religioni che, invece, pretendono di parlare a nome di verità eterne e immutabili (specie nell'àmbito morale).
Dissento con l'autore del libro quando afferma che non si stia assistendo, negli ultimi anni, al ritorno di una sorta di nuovo puritanesimo: i segnali che si intravvedono in tal senso nel corpo sociale sono contraddittorî, ma secondo me il rischio esiste, e questa volta la pruderie non proviene dalle religioni... ma questa è un'altra storia (che esula certamente dal libro in questione ) e si dovrà raccontare un'altra volta.
June 12, 2019
En lidt ujævn men spændende oplevelse, hvor jeg undervejs var uenig i mange små delkonklusioner - eller undrede mig over, hvor meget han ikke ved om dele af den kirkelige virkelighed, han søger at beskrive.
Men når det er sagt, så kaster han et yderst interessant lys over den identitets- og værdikamp, der i disse år(tier) præger hele Europa. Fra alle mulige sider bliver "kristendom" taget til indtægt i en skyttegravskrig; både af faktisk kirkeligt engagerede, som har det svært med sekulariseringen af såvel kultur som lovgivning, og af nationalkonservative og/eller mere eller mindre nihilistiske populister, der søger et eller andet påskud for at dæmme op for islam - også selv de reelt har et mere indbildt end egentligt værdifællesskab med det, som kristen tro faktisk handler om.
Bogen er lidt tung at komme i gang med, men bliver mere og mere en pageturner, jo længere man kommer ind i den.
Men når det er sagt, så kaster han et yderst interessant lys over den identitets- og værdikamp, der i disse år(tier) præger hele Europa. Fra alle mulige sider bliver "kristendom" taget til indtægt i en skyttegravskrig; både af faktisk kirkeligt engagerede, som har det svært med sekulariseringen af såvel kultur som lovgivning, og af nationalkonservative og/eller mere eller mindre nihilistiske populister, der søger et eller andet påskud for at dæmme op for islam - også selv de reelt har et mere indbildt end egentligt værdifællesskab med det, som kristen tro faktisk handler om.
Bogen er lidt tung at komme i gang med, men bliver mere og mere en pageturner, jo længere man kommer ind i den.
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