Why do some strategies for critique of religion seem to be more beneficial for constructive engagement, whereas others increase intolerance, polarization, and conflict?

Through an analysis of the reasons underpinning a critique of religion in institutional contexts of secular democratic societies, A Constructive Critique of Religion explores how constructive interaction and critique can be developed across diverse interests. It shows how social and cultural conditions shaping these institutions enable and structure a critical and constructive engagement across diverging worldviews.

A key argument running through the book is that to develop constructive forms of critique a more thorough and systematic investigation of resources for criticism located within religious worldviews themselves is needed. Chapters also address how critique of Islam and Christianity in particular is expressed in areas such as academia, the law, politics, media, education and parenting, with a focus on Northern Europe and North America. The interdisciplinary approach, which combines theoretical perspectives with empirical case studies, contributes to advancing studies of the complex and contentious character of religion in contemporary society.

Mia Lövheim is Professor of Sociology of Religion at Uppsala University, Sweden. She is editor of Media, Religion and Gender (2013) and co-editor of Reconsidering Religion, Law, and Democracy. New Challenges for Society and Research (2016).

Mikael Stenmark is Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Uppsala University, Sweden. He is co-editor of Relativism and Post-Truth in Contemporary Society (2018), and Naturalism and Beyond: Religious Naturalism and Its Alternatives (2016).