Religions beyond Borders: the Ambivalence and Effectiveness of Religious Engagement in Public and Global Affairs

Abstract This article explores the evolving dynamics of religious engagement in public and global affairs, responding to the dual acknowledgment of religion’s significance by secular actors and the proactive involvement of religious leaders in broader societal contexts. Through critical review of existing literature, the paper highlights the complex conceptual and political frameworks and ambivalent understanding of religious engagement, probing on the one hand its intrinsic and generic relationship with interreligious dialogue and on the other the academic conversation about the public role of religion in postmodern societies. The article introduces two key concepts: religious social responsibility and pragmatic pluralism, to navigate, amid diverse cultural narratives, the ambivalence and avoid the instrumentalization of religious roles in public and global affairs. Through an interdisciplinary approach integrating theological and social sciences perspectives, the article addresses critical queries on the rightsizing of religious engagement, and proposes a new typology of faith actors that goes beyond the institutional religious realms and the western development narratives. Moreover, the article identifies key qualifications for effective partnerships, such as the autonomy of faith actors vis-à-vis the political power, their legitimacy and credibility towards their constituencies, their integrity, in addition to the mutual literacy required from them and political actors. Despite the ongoing risks of religious instrumentalization, radical secularism, proselytism, and ethno-religious nationalism, the article attests that religious engagement remains more than ever essential in addressing public and global development and peace challenges, and in enriching the humanitarian narrative with inclusive and fraternal values.