Publication: Kamusal alanda din
Abstract
Kamusal Alan, Din, Vatandaşlık, Temsil, Demokrasi, Sekülerleşme. ÖZET KAMUSAL ALANDA DİN Bilimin ve rasyonalitenin etkisiyle dinlerin toplumsal ve bireysel hayatta etkisini yitirerek kamusal görünürlüğünün azalacağı öngörülerine rağmen, mevcut durum, söz konusu beklentinin gerçekleşmediğini gözler önüne sermektedir. Zira dinler, özellikle Batılı ülkeler de dahil olmak üzere tüm dünyayı saran toplumsal, siyasal ve özel hayattaki önemini korumaya, Batı dışı toplumlarda ise arttırmaya devam etmektedir. Bu gelişmeler siyaset bilimcilerin ve sosyologların kayıtsız kalamayacağı kadar önemli toplumsal olgulardır. Nitekim son yıllarda dinin kamusal alandaki varlığı “de-privatization” (dinin yeniden toplumsallaşması) (Casanova) , “de-secularization” (dinileşme-dünyevilikten kopuş) (Berger) ve “post-secularism” (Habermas) gibi ifadelerle kavramsallaştırılmaya başlamıştır. Günümüzde dinin daha tartışmalı bir konuma gelmesinin nedenleri arasında yer alan göçler ve küreselleşme hem Hıristiyanlık öncesi inançları, hem Hıristiyanlığı ve İslamı hem de diğer dinleri kamusal alana yeniden taşımıştır. Yerleşik dinler veya dini gruplar ve üyeleri, din eğitimi, kürtaj, ötenazi, yapay rahim, türban gibi belli meseleleri kamusal alanda tartışmaya açarak bu alana dahil olmakta ve modernitenin temsil ettiği normatif yapılara meydan okumaktadırlar. Din-devlet ilişkileri üzerinden ilerleyen tartışmalar, 'bireysel özgürlük' ile 'ortak çıkar' görüşleri arasında denge bulma çabasının bir yansımasıdır. Bu çalışma, örnek olaylardan hareketle kamusal alanda din tartışmalarına katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamıştır. Public Sphere, Religion, Citizenship, Representation, Democracy, Secularization.
RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE It was expected that by the rise of science and rationality, religion will lose its influence on individuals and society. However, current developments in the globe indicate that this expectation did not come through. What is witnessed today is the fact that religions preserve their significance in social, political as well as individuals’ lives in the West. In the non-western countries on the other hand, religions seem to increase their impact. These developments are important social phenomena to which sociologists and political scientists cannot turn a blind eye. Social scientists describe the presence of religion in the public sphere with concepts as such “de-privatization” (Casanova) , “de-secularization” (Berger) and “post-secularism” (Habermas) etc. Various developments like migration and globalization are among the reasons that caused a controversy on the role and position religion in society. In this process Christianity, Islam and other religions re- entered the public domain. Established religions and religious groups opened discussions on religious education, abortion, euthanasia and artificial womb and veiling in the public sphere. By doing this, religions and religious groups enter the public domain and challenge normative structures represented by modernity. Discussion and debates revolving around state-religion relations are a reflection of an effort to find a balance between “individual liberty” and “common interest”. This thesis aims at contributing to discussions on religion in the public sphere by analyzing significant theories, events and questions that are relevant to this topic.
RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE It was expected that by the rise of science and rationality, religion will lose its influence on individuals and society. However, current developments in the globe indicate that this expectation did not come through. What is witnessed today is the fact that religions preserve their significance in social, political as well as individuals’ lives in the West. In the non-western countries on the other hand, religions seem to increase their impact. These developments are important social phenomena to which sociologists and political scientists cannot turn a blind eye. Social scientists describe the presence of religion in the public sphere with concepts as such “de-privatization” (Casanova) , “de-secularization” (Berger) and “post-secularism” (Habermas) etc. Various developments like migration and globalization are among the reasons that caused a controversy on the role and position religion in society. In this process Christianity, Islam and other religions re- entered the public domain. Established religions and religious groups opened discussions on religious education, abortion, euthanasia and artificial womb and veiling in the public sphere. By doing this, religions and religious groups enter the public domain and challenge normative structures represented by modernity. Discussion and debates revolving around state-religion relations are a reflection of an effort to find a balance between “individual liberty” and “common interest”. This thesis aims at contributing to discussions on religion in the public sphere by analyzing significant theories, events and questions that are relevant to this topic.