This and the first volume are the outcome of a research project on relations between religious communities and civil society that began in 2015 and culminated with a November 2018 conference in Rome. A third volume was projected, but the editors were able to accommodate all the contributions in two volumes. Among the topics are the Catholic Church and civil society, the rise in political power of Brazil's evangelicals: a case study, civil Cinderella: religion and civil society in Poland, and the socio-political role of the hermeneutics of sacred texts: the example of the Decalogue. Annotation ©2020 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
The seemingly vitalizing impact of religiosity on civil society is a research topic that has been extensively looked into, not only in the USA, but increasingly also in a European context. What is missing is an evaluation of the role of institutionalized religious communities, and of circumstances that facilitate or impede their status as civil society organisations. This anthology in 2 volumes aims at closing this gap by providing case studies regarding political, legal and historical aspects in various European countries.
Vol. 2 provides some theoretical aspects, a report on the final conference, and case studies from Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and the Ukraine, as well as a special chapter on Brazil and a Note on Religious Political Ideology.
