Religion & Identity in Europe

Examining the clash between Roman religion and Christianity in Antiquity, and juxtaposing this with some of the cultural and religious conflicts currently unfolding in Europe, the author draws attention to interesting parallels linking religion, identity, and the construction of religious enemy images -- and running across the fabric of time. Here she explores a number of issues in multicultural Europe, past and present. These include cultural encounters and the concepts of religio and superstitio; infighting and propagandising amongst emperors, philosophers, and church fathers; miracle rivalry and martyrdom; ancient Romanisation and modern globalisation; religious pluralism and universal values; freedom of religion and liberal democracies; and secularism and the European fear factor.