deBuren

The entanglement of politics and religion and, in its wake, the debate on the separation of church and state, has once again become a topic of discussion since the terrorist attacks of 11th September 2001. The attacks have given many people the sense that Islam cannot be reconciled with the foundations of our modern society, resulting in a concern about the renewed influence of religion on politics.

However, the debate on the separation of church and state is not limited to Islam; although Christianity has become a matter of the individual's private choice, countries like Poland and Italy are in favour of a reference to the Jewish-Christian tradition in the European constitution. How strict should the separation between church and state be? What is the role of the government? Should religious communities be subsidised? As the mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen suggests, can the integration of immigrants best be achieved through their faith?

Taking part in the debate on these and other questions at deBuren will be the Dutch ex-minister of Justice Piet-Hein Donner, writer Fouad Laroui and ex-prime minister Mark Eyskens. Rik Torfs will moderate.