• Derrida and the Danger of Religion

    Author(s):
    David Newheiser (see profile)
    Date:
    2017
    Group(s):
    Religious Studies
    Subject(s):
    Philosophy, Continental, Religion--Philosophy, Political science--Philosophy
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Derrida, Political Theology, religion and politics, Continental philosophy, Philosophy of religion, Political philosophy, Religious studies
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M6CJ83
    Abstract:
    This paper argues that Jacques Derrida provides a compelling rebuttal to a secularism that seeks to exclude religion from the public sphere. Political theorists such as Mark Lilla claim that religion is a source of violence, and so they conclude that religion and politics should be strictly separated. In my reading, Derrida's work entails that a secularism of this kind is both impossible (because religion remains influential in the wake of secularization) and unnecessary (because religious traditions are diverse and multivalent). Some attempt to contain the disruptive force of religion by excluding it from the public sphere, but Derrida argues that one may endure instability for the sake of something more important than safety. Although Derrida admits that religion is dangerous, he demonstrates that it is nevertheless an indispensable resource for political reflection.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Journal article     Show details
    Pub. DOI:
    https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfx026
    Publisher:
    Oxford University Press (OUP)
    Pub. Date:
    2017-4-27
    Journal:
    Journal of the American Academy of Religion
    ISSN:
    0002-7189,1477-4585
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
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