The Curious Task Kevin Vallier - What Are The New Religious Threats To Liberalism?
Aug 6, 2025
Kevin Vallier, an associate professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University, dives into his book addressing the rising religious threats to liberalism. He discusses integralism's blend of church and state, along with its historical context. Vallier also examines the nuances of Islamic anti-liberalism and Sharia governance, highlighting potential democratic pathways. The conversation further explores Confucian critiques of liberalism and the complexities of engaging with religious beliefs in a modern political landscape.
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Core Features Of Religious Anti-Liberalism
- Religious anti-liberalism rejects liberal religious toleration and supports coercive establishment of religion.
- It also grounds state legitimacy in divine authorization rather than popular consent.
How Integralism Integrates Church And State
- Integralism posits God authorizes both church and state and assigns them distinct purposes.
- The church can sometimes co-opt the state's coercive power to protect its spiritual mission.
Islamist Models And Divine Legal Authority
- Islamic anti-liberalism often centers on Sharia as a divinely authorized legal whole and a caliphate as its political expression.
- Modern Sunni forms can accommodate democratic mechanisms within that religious framework.
