Questions for discussion

Let's discuss the following questions during our round table:

1. The relation between religion and secularity has become a complicated one now that the nature and outlook of religion have profoundly changed during the last decades. Besides, mistrust invaded also religion as one among the many other institutions that were no longer trusted. In this changing landscape, there was no narrative capable of redefining the relationship between secularity and religion, apart perhaps from attempts such as Modern Orthodoxy. Is there any possibility that religion, though highly diversified, can redefine its relationship with secularity and thus contribute to new narratives of trust? 

2. Pope Francis inspires confidence, his church in general does not, or at least much less. We do know trust is often built on a personal relationship, though at the same time trust has also to exceed the personal level and must become institutional trust. Looking at the pope and the RCC, what kind of developments do you see when it comes to ‘building trust’?

3. Religious minorities often experience a lack of protection by governmental structures and authorities. The pretended secularity and neutrality of the state prove the more and more to conceal a hidden civil religion, namely a form of cultural Christianism. How can modern states deal with religious plurality and become trustworthy? Should they be entirely neutral or can it incorporate some elements from a Christian background even though this might threaten its neutrality?