Debate: Religion, a personal and private matter or a public and political matter?

During the last century, our Western societies have ensured a gradual separation of church and state, in order to secure the equality of citizens. But our time seems once again to oscillate between 'the religion, as a public and a politic case', and 'the religion, as an intimate and private matter' ... A lot of male and female politicians conduct their debates on a spiritual level, or appeal to religion to give weight to issues around public morals and values in a world in crisis. But as a result of these religious, the political field is now saturated. So the question is whether the ratio of the religious and the political is a regression or of progress? And what is the right place of religions and beliefs in public space?

Flagey, Le Soir, Université Libre de Bruxelles, l’Observatoire des Religions et de la Laïcité, CEFRELCO