For example, the ability to organize communities would hardly qualify a religious community as a contributor to civil society. We unfortunately know too many religious communities who care for their people, their poor, their infirm, and raise their children for the wars of theocracy. The issues raised by an inquiry into the historic and contemporary relations between religion and civil society are most complex, full of knotty philosophical, psychological, and moral issues. Of course, such a dialogue necessarily challenges both sides, and the discussions will not be easy. But they are long overdue.
Opposition is true friendship.
Day of panels on the topic including sections on Religion, Social Protest and Revolution, Religion and Community Organization Religion and Power Faith Based Initiatives and Philanthropy. Reflections at the Third Christian and First Global Millennium .