This book argues that contemporary Christianity is in crisis because freedom of religion is concealed and under pressure by secularization and migration. A drastic change is necessary - in the Catholic Church at first - from a God-given hierarchical structure to a democratic religion that rests on human dignity and human rights.The text conveys that such a change -that should happen from within- will put an end to challenges such as in Catholicism where outside human rights are promoted, but from inside a different story is told. Cultural change in religion is also covered with the move from centuries-old dictates to the reasonable justification of freedom of experiences, symbols, rituals and inter-religious intercourse as well as the cross communication between believers and non-believers alike. This approach makes religion an as yet unfinished religion. The text appeals to researchers and academics working in human rights and religion.

Auteur
Johannes A. van der Ven was a Distinguished Christian Scholar of international recognition with a very rich list of publications. He has set of standards in theology and religious studies, with such topics as secularization, euthanasia, as well as religion and human rights. He developed the methodological school of empirical theology.

Contenu
Chapter 1. IntroductionChapter 2. Freedom of Religion Chapter 3. Religious Forms of Government Chapter 4. A Test of Reasonable Religion