Secularism, Religion, and the State

Coordinator : A/P R.Michael Feener, Department of History/ Asia Research Institute

Project Description and Scope

At the turn of the twenty-first century religious revivals across the globe have clearly demonstrated the inadequacy of the ‘secularisation hypothesis’ that had earlier dominated much international scholarship in the social sciences. In coming to terms with the events of recent decades unanticipated by naïve models of secularisation in relation to processes of modernisation, scholars in a wide range of fields have turned to critical reconsiderations of the very concept of secularism. In the process they have also begun rethinking issues of the the development of the nation-state in both the construction of 'secularism' and in concomitant re-conceptualisations of 'religion'.

This reading group will bring together NUS faculty members of diverse disciplinary backgrounds and geographic areas of specialisation to critically reflect upon some of this recent scholarship on the idea of secularism and social processes of secularization with particular attention to their relationship to expressions of the role of the state in managing religions. These conversations will help each member of the reading group to expand and develop their understandings issues that are directly relevant to their ongoing work and the formulation of new research projects.

Initial Reading List

  • Hugh McLeod, Secularisation in Western Europe, 1848-1914.
  • Talal Asad, Formations of the Secular: Christianity, Islam, Modernity.
  • Mayfair Mei-hui Yang, Ed. Chinese Religiosities: Vicissitudes of Modernity and State Formation.
  • Richard Madsen, “Secularism, Religious Renaissance, and Social Conflict in Asia.”

Meeting Schedule and Events

Please contact coordinator for meeting schedule.

List of Participants