Is multiculturalism a satisfactory framework to address religious diversity?

Abstract

The chapter, "Is Multiculturalism a Satisfactory Framework to Address Religious Diversity?", delves into the challenges and limitations of traditional multiculturalism in managing religious diversity within contemporary pluralistic societies. It critiques the inadequacies of the multiculturalist model in addressing the complexities of evolving cultural and religious identities, particularly amidst rising intolerance, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism. The chapter highlights the tension between majority cultural dominance and the need to safeguard minority religious identities, emphasizing the importance of legal recognition and inclusivity.

The discussion explores how globalization, migration, and secularization have intensified religious diversity, making the management of "everyday religious superdiversity" a pressing necessity. It critiques liberal secularism for its "blindness to difference," often marginalizing minority religious practices under the guise of cultural neutrality. Furthermore, it examines the rise of alternative paradigms like interculturalism and postmulticulturalism, which aim to bridge the gaps left by traditional models by promoting dialogue, shared values, and the coexistence of individual and collective identities.

Central to the chapter is the concept of human dignity, which it positions as the foundation for addressing religious diversity. This dignity-based framework asserts that individual and collective identities must be recognized equally, and that public policies must reflect this ethos. The proposed "everyday religious superdiversity" framework combines structural (top-down) approaches, such as implementing international human rights standards, with individual (bottom-up) approaches that value daily religious practices and personal autonomy.

The chapter concludes with a call for reinterpreting traditional notions like secularism and neutrality to accommodate the realities of religious pluralism in public spaces. By integrating inclusive and diversity-sensitive policies, it outlines a vision for a more equitable, cohesive, and pluralistic society, capable of addressing the challenges of modern religious diversity.