Stephen Schneck is currently researching the danger that religious nationalism poses for religious liberty and democracy.
Freedoms of conscience, belief, and faith — the inherent freedoms of religious liberty — are in crisis across the globe. While the crisis takes different forms, in many countries it is driven by a contrived religious nationalism yoked to an anti-democractic and authoritarian political movement.
When religious nationalism is used for political advantage, a particular religion is first prioritized for public life. With that, societal and individual questions of right and truth are deemed “answered” by that designated religion. The freedoms to think differently, believe differently, or practice a different faith are constrained or even forbidden. Other basic freedoms, such as speech or assembly that depend on freedom of conscience, belief, and faith, are likewise compromised. When such freedoms are narrowed, democracy withers and authoritarianism is emboldened.
Schneck’s analysis draws on political philosophy and Catholic theology, and looks at current and historical examples from several countries. The phenomenon today is global in scope. Political movements employing religious nationalism in this fashion are evident on every continent.
Recently, Schneck spoke on his research at Boston College’s Boisi Center, offering the 5th Annual Wolfe lecture with the title “Religious Nationalism and the Dimming of Religious Freedom.” The lecture focused on the erosion of religious freedom and democracy related to Hindu nationalism in India and Christian nationalism in Hungary. Schneck continues researching religious nationalism in other contexts, including: Turkey, Israel, Brazil, and the United States.
He welcomes opportunities to speak on this developing research on liberal democracy’s foundational freedoms of conscience, belief, and faith. See the contact page of this site for speaking invitations.