JEAN-CLAUDE MONOD AND THE HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF SECULARIZATION THEORY

Abstract

Political theory recently rediscovered religion as an important factor in democratic societies. Even philosophers defending the liberal point of view of the neutral state no longer consider that neutrality incompatible with a return of religion in the public sphere. One of the most commented impulses to that return is Jiirgen Habermas' plea for a 'post-secular society'.1 Many sociologists of religion also recognize the importance of religion in politics.2