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November, Saturday 22nd

Churches and religions in the public arena

Saturday morning

9.00am Review of Friday's session
By Bernard Lecomte, journalist and writer

9.30am Individual, community, society

By Jean-Paul Willaime, sociologist, Director of the group of sociology of religions and of the European Institute in Sciences of Religions

If religions can contribute to divisions, then it is necessary to question the contradictions existing in our societies. When they let themselves be dominated by the promotion of the solitary and independent individual, can they still advocate solidarity and social cohesion? Admittedly the communitarian movement divides. However, have we systematically mistaken it for communities which give both meaning and value to living together? Is the public sphere/private sphere duality relevant? Which roles are societies ready to give to the communities of faith where one learns the meaning of openness to others, whoever they are?

10.15am Discussion

10.30am Break

11.00am Universalism set against pluralism

With Enzo Bianchi, theologian, prior of the Bose Community (Italy)

If societies are subjected to the test of meaning, the religions for their part are subjected to the test of universalism for which they have a vocation to express within the environment where pluralism became the fruit of a democratic development. How Agnès von Kirchbach

can we reconcile universalism and tolerance? What is the significance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the parties who are sincerely committed to ecumenism? What is the gain of such a dialogue for the whole society?

and Agnès von Kirchbach, minister of the Reformed
Church of France.

11.40am Discussion

12.00am Presentation of the Saturday afternoon's workshops

12.15pm Lunch

Saturday afternoon

6 workshops for sharing experience and discussion

Using observations, concrete examples and the analysis of conflicts and synergies, these workshops will try to reveal how the relationships between religions and societies develop. They will explore how the communities of faith can – without merging into the society – contribute today to its vitality and its cohesion. What can be their contribution to a society in search of moral references and meaning?

from 2.00pm to 5.30pm by choice

The workshops – the organization of which has been entrusted to a member of the board of the “Semaines sociales” – will be held simultaneously in 6 different locations in the Cité de Congrès and will comprise seminars, round table discussions, examples and – of course – discussions.
Each workshop will issue suggestions for a better integration of religions in the public arena. Their outputs will be part of the message to the society that, the “Semaines Sociales de France” will present the following day.

1- The management of religions in the public arena
2- Religions in the media, art and culture
3- Religion, education and taining of citizens
4- Religions and social cohesion
5- Religions and societies faced with science and ethical dilemmas
6- Religions and body issues

Saturday's night

6.30 - 7.30pm Religious celebrations in different parts of the town

8.30 - 10.30 "Young European Night"
This night of relaxation is free of charge and will take place at the Père Thierry Jacou’s Paroisse Saint François de Villeurbanne (underground Gratte Ciel).

Last update : 22/07/2008