ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1, Simon Thompson looks at the recognition of religion in public spaces. In contemporary societies, citizens hold a wide variety of religious beliefs, and wish to manifest those beliefs in a wide variety of different ways. Should at least some such practices be positively recognized, so that measures are taken to ensure that believers are able so far as possible to practice their religion? More strongly, should their faith enjoy positive affirmation in the public sphere? Should some other aspects of religious belief and practice be subject to strict and clear regulation, so that in these cases secular laws take priority over the religious believers’ desire to act in a certain way? In response to these questions, Thompson’s aim is to consider the ways in which religion is recognized in contemporary societies, and also to think about how it should be recognized. Since this is a very large and complex topic, he focuses on just one aspect of it – namely, the recognition of religion specifically in public spaces. Thompson asks if – and if so, then to what extent – individuals and groups may reasonably expect to be able to manifest their religious identities in such spaces. Thompson’s claim is that without a clear account of the character of public space, and of the qualities it possesses, it is difficult – perhaps impossible – to determine the extent to which individuals should be able to manifest their religious beliefs in it. Put positively, only if we understand the character and value of public space can we draw clear conclusions about the nature of and justification for the rights that individuals should have to access and make use of that space.
