The Relationship Between Religion, Spirituality, and Politics in the Contemporary World

Abstract (English)

This panel explores the complex and multifaceted relationship between religion, spirituality, and politics in the contemporary world. Despite the growing process of secularization, religion and spirituality continue to play significant roles in shaping social, political, and cultural life. The panel delves into various issues, including the use of religion or spirituality as a political tool for mass mobilization and legitimizing power; the role of political regimes in controlling religion; the growing influence of spirituality in social movements focused on ecology, human rights, and poverty, highlighting the potential for spiritual engagement to reshape political landscapes; the impact of religion on international politics, particularly in the context of armed conflicts and diplomacy; the challenges faced by pluralistic societies in integrating diverse religious and spiritual traditions. This panel provides a platform for examining how these complex interactions shape the contemporary world.