Auteur: Ali RASTBEEN
Executive summary: The relationship between the State and religion in today’s pluralistic societies is undergoing a profound recomposition under the joint effect of secularization, migration, globalization of religious networks and identity politicization. Far from a mere decline of the religious, there has been a transformation of modes of belief and public visibility, as well as a diversification of legal regulatory mechanisms. This article offers a historical and comparative reading of the State-Religion models (faith, separation, cooperation), and then analyses contemporary challenges: internal pluralism, religious diplomacy, radicalization, and “post-secularity”. Based on case studies (France, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, India, Turkey, Iran), the study highlights a central dilemma: ensuring freedom of conscience and equality without dissolving civic cohesion, while avoiding the stigmatization of minorities and the instrumentalization of religious by political authorities. The conclusion supports the idea of demanding but non-hostile state neutrality based on equality, proportionality and an inclusive conception of public space.
Keywords: Secularization, Secularization, Religious Pluralism, State Neutrality, Freedom of conscience, Reasonable accommodation, Post-secularity, Religious Nationalism, Constitutional Law, Religious Governance.
Abstract: The relationship between state and religion is undergoing profound transformation in contemporary pluralistic societies, driven by the combined effects of secularization, migration, the globalization of religious networks, and the politicization of identity. Far from a simple decline in religion, we are witnessing a transformation of modes of belief and public visibility, as well as a diversification of legal regulatory mechanisms. This article offers a historical and comparative analysis of state-religion models (confessional, separation, cooperation), and then examines contemporary challenges: internal pluralism, religious diplomacy, radicalization, and “post-secularism”. Based on case studies (France, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Turkey, and Iran), the study highlights a central dilemma: guaranteeing freedom of conscience and equality without undermining civic cohesion, while simultaneously avoiding the stigmatization of minorities and the instrumentalization of religion by political powers. The conclusion defends the idea of a demanding but not hostile state neutrality, based on equality, proportionality and an inclusive conception of public space.
Keywords: Secularism, Secularization, Religious pluralism, State neutrality, Freedom of conscience, Reasonable accommodations, Post-secularism, Religious nationalism, Constitutional law, Governance of religion.