Citizenship, secularism and religion: A 'Triangle' in permanent tension

Abstract

Born in a family divided by opposite understandings of Catholicism, the author chose first to be a radical social Catholic. He broke with any religion (including the 'religion of secularism') and shifted from a social vision to a political one. 'Active citizenship' in everyday life admits religions within the political sphere, but as stakeholders equal to others. In this 'inclusive secularism', the so-called God's Law is lower than the Human Law, the only one relevant when debating issues related to our common good. Framing this law is a process of compromises; they are not at all dishonest, but social transactions in a spirit of conciliating the opposed values and interests of every stakeholder.