10/07/2025 08:30
- 12:00
HALL: Lecture Hall 01
Proponent:
Limacher K.,
Stoeckl K.
Chair:
Limacher K.,
Stoeckl K.
Speaker:
Bunnell A.,
Elsner R.,
Kreuzer L.,
Limacher K.,
Mattes A.,
Stoeckl K.
This panel explores the role of religion in conservative, right-wing and far-right politics and ideologies. Many actors on the political right lay claim to Christianity as the center of their ideological universe (especially in opposition to Islam and Muslim immigration). In some cases, this claim to Christianity has little to do with, or even conflicts with Christian doctrine, practice and institutions; in other cases, the claims of the Christian Right are at odds with mainstream Christian democracy. In the light of these multiple tensions, the emergence of anti-genderism as key ideological marker for the political right is of significance. Claims against gender-equality and gender-inclusivity unite these actors with factions of many (but not all) Christian churches in Europe. These claims are representative of a narrow ideological allegiance. It allows the actors involved to bracket questions of Christian doctrine, practice and institutions that regularly sets the political right-wing at odds with churches, for example on the issues of migration and hospitality, interreligious dialogue or religious liberty. This panel takes stock of new empirical research in the field and asks whether the political right in Europe still "needs" Christianity or whether anti-genderism has already replaced religion and if so, what consequences this shift holds for political as well as religious actors in Europe and beyond.