Religion and Secularism: Towards a Reconciliation

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by YorkSpace RELIGION AND SECULARISM: TOWARDS A RECONCILIATION XAVIER SCOTT A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PHILOSOPHY YORK UNIVERSITY TORONTO, ONTARIO December 2017 © Xavier Scott, 2017 Abstract This dissertation examines the evolving relationship between religion and the state in political philosophy. I begin with an examination of what religion is. I argue that religion is not primarily a belief system about metaphysics but rather a social system, which is better understood in terms of politics than science. In the second chapter, I look at the origins of secular political philosophy in early-modern Europe and contrast it with medieval political theory. I note that this transition does not mark a separation of church and state, but in fact accomplishes the expropriation of religious functions by the state. Therefore, I argue that the modern, secular state should not be mistaken for a neutral arbiter between competing religious perspectives. The modern state is itself a very interested party in how religion is expressed, understood, and in which religions are supported by the state. In my third chapter, I look at the rise of secular ideologies in the context of what Charles Taylor calls ‘the modern moral order’. I note that secular ideologies have attempted to reform society on the basis of ideals that avoid taking a stand on questions of religion. I question whether societies are capable of functioning on the basis of principle alone and note the tendency of liberal and communist states to adopt different forms of nationalism. I show that where universalist ideologies were once on the rise and spreading across the globe, they are increasingly met with the particularisms of culture and religion. Finally, I return to the topic of religion in contemporary political life. I examine four features of religion that have come under attack. Each of these problematic features of religion, I argue, also preform salutary functions in society. I show that this is particularly the case in societies where secular institutions are failing to provide institutional support or a sense of belonging to their members. By recognizing the complexity of religion’s interaction with the secular state, we can develop more nuanced approaches that are able to avoid the extremes of xenophobia and cultural relativism. ii Dedication To the peoples of Somaliland and Egypt, who taught me about religion and secularism. And to Mustafa and his family, for inviting me to break the Ramadan fast with them. iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank the many people who made this dissertation possible. First, the encouragement and guidance that I received from my committee were incredible and went beyond what is typically expected of a dissertation committee. My supervisor, Dr. Michael Giudice, has been a long-time mentor and has helped me develop as an academic, a teacher, and a writer. Dr. Jim Vernon’s probing comments constantly challenged me to further develop my views and greatly contributed to the analytic clarity in my work. Dr. Kristin Andrews’s faith in me and writing advice were invaluable and – with no exaggeration – I would not be defending right now without her support and guidance. I would also like to thank the community at York University and the faculty and staff of the Philosophy department in particular for providing me a home to conduct my research in. Dr. Esteve Morera, who supervised an earlier version of this dissertation, inspired much of the direction this project took and pushed me to improve the clarity and quality of my writing. Dr. Alice MacLachlan gave frequent mentorship and career advice and was a kind and supportive presence in the department. Emma Posca’s diligence and enthusiasm were an enormous help in coordinating the many bureaucratic hurdles involved in the final stages of writing. I would also like to thank my M.A. supervisors, Dr. Avron Kulak and Dr. Brayton Polka – for helping me to reconsider the value of religion and its impact on European philosophy. A course I audited with Dr. Mark Cauchi was similarly instructive. Dr. Radhika Mongia’s course on post-colonial theory helped me to challenge some of the preconceptions of the European philosophical tradition. I also benefitted greatly from my fellow graduate students. Time talking with Fayaz Chagani, Colin Leonard-White, Jamie Smith, Sam Steadman, Andrew Parker, Andrew Molas, Sas Ansari, and too many others to name provided me with friendship as well as the intellectual climate I needed to develop my ideas. Long-time friendships with Nathaniel Laywine, Robyn Caplan, Luke Woodyard, Halley Rigbey, Ben Sainsbury, Jaime Nikolaou, Gustavo Cerquera, Peter Chonka, Josephine Heger, and Nakjung Kim have provided me with much comradeship, joy, and stimulating discussion. Erica Glossop deserves special mention for encouraging me to push forward when I began to worry that I would never finish. I would also like to thank the friendly staff at Field Trip Café, at 3 Westmoreland Avenue, who provided me the space and coffee I needed to work. I cannot forget my dog Howie, whose big heart and tiny brain helped to tear me away from the intellectual rigors of academia and appreciate walks in the park. I would also like to thank the many people I have met in my travels over the years who have helped me to appreciate the many ways religion and secularism are practiced in different contexts. The people I met in Somaliland, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Ethiopia, South Korea, and Cuba have contributed to as much to this project as anything that I have read. I would not be writing this dissertation without the love and support of my family. My mom, Gyllian Raby, gave me my love of reading, my passion for social justice, and helped me to edit and improve my writing on this and many other projects. My dad, Nigel Scott, taught me about the world and raised me on news and critical thinking, as well as an appreciation for jokes. My sister, Nelly “Zuma” Scott, has a love of life and spirituality that is an inspiration to all around her. Finally, and most importantly, I need to thank my love, partner, roommate, dog mom, and best friend – Audrey Madsen. Words cannot express how much love and support she’s given. Our happy family is unlike any other and I feel truly blessed to be a member of it. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1. Background and Aims............................................................................................................. 1 2. Topic Overview ...................................................................................................................... 4 3. Defining Religion and Secularism .......................................................................................... 8 4. Thesis .................................................................................................................................... 14 5. Methodology & Contribution to the Literature ..................................................................... 16 6. Chapter Descriptions ............................................................................................................. 21 II. Religion: Beyond Metaphysics ................................................................................................ 24 1. Religion as a Metaphysical View of the Universe; Religion and Science ............................ 25 1.1 Religion – an evolutionary mistake?............................................................................... 29 1.2 Alternate approaches to religion’s metaphysics: pantheism and NOMA. ...................... 38 2. Religion as a Moral Community; Definition from Social Science ....................................... 46 3. Religion as a Private Psychological Experience; Definition from Psychology .................... 51 4. Religion as a Means of Supporting the Common Good; Religion in Political Philosophy .. 54 5. Religion as a Form of Ethnic Nationalism ............................................................................ 59 6. Human Kinds and Problems with Definitions ...................................................................... 63 7. A Social and Political Approach to Religion ........................................................................ 68 8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 70 III. From Souls to Citizens: Social Imaginaries and the Organization of Violence ..................... 72 1. Notes on Methodology .........................................................................................................

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