title: A Christian identity for the liberal state?
abstract: It seems to be impossible for the liberal state to embrace a Christian identity, because 'liberalism' is exactly a device for separating state and religion. Discussing the implications of a recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights, Lautsi v. Italy (2011), I argue that this is not necessarily so. If paired with a liberal commitment to pluralism, a Christian identity might even be more inclusive of minority religions than a narrowly 'liberal' state identity, which has been the dominant response in Western Europe to the challenge of immigrant diversity, especially that of Muslim origins.
authors: Institute of Sociology, University of Bern.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Joppke
mesh_terms: D002835:Christianity; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D011057:Politics
keywords: Liberalism; identity; law; religion; state