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On the public discourse of religion : an analysis of Christianity in the United Kingdom

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Kettell, Steven, 1973-. (2009) On the public discourse of religion : an analysis of Christianity in the United Kingdom. Politics and Religion, Vol.2 (No.3). pp. 420-443. ISSN 1755-0483

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1755048309990204

Abstract

Debates over the involvement of religion in the public sphere look set to be one of the defining themes of the 21st century. But while religious issues have attracted a large degree of scholarly attention, the public discourse of religion itself, in terms of the effort to assert and legitimize a role for faith in the public realm, has remained notably under-researched. This article marks an initial step to address this deficiency by deconstructing the public discourse of Christianity in the United Kingdom. It argues that, while appealing for representation on the grounds of liberal equality, the overall goal of this discourse is to establish a role for itself as a principal source of moral authority, and to exempt itself from the evidentially-based standards and criteria that govern public life.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity J Political Science > JC Political theory
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Church and state -- Great Britain -- History -- 21st century, Religion and politics -- Great Britain, Ethics, Modern -- 21st century, Religion and sociology -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	Politics and Religion
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	1755-0483
Date:	December 2009
Volume:	Vol.2
Number:	No.3
Page Range:	pp. 420-443
Identification Number:	10.1017/S1755048309990204
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/2908