The Department for Dialogue in the Public Sphere of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci, in collaboration with the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, is organizing a panel discussion on November 28, 2024, at 6 PM in the crypt of the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark. The discussion topic is:
“Christianity and Atheist Activism in the Public Sphere – Experiences from Serbia and European Countries”
Participants in the panel discussion:
- Deacon Dušan Todorović, theologian
- Zlatko Vujanović, theologian and professor of English
- Dr. Nemanja Škreljić, theologian
- Deacon Dr. Aleksandar Milojkov, Coordinator of the Section for Dialogue in the Public Sphere and discussion moderator
The traditional European identity is founded on three pillars: Ancient Greco-Roman heritage, Christianity, and Enlightenment humanism. However, the modern European identity represents a fusion of traditional and innovative elements.
In the context of predominantly secular societies:
- Is modern Europe drifting away from its ancient foundations, particularly its Christian heritage?
- How present is Christianity (the Church) in the public sphere of European societies?
- How does atheist activism respond to this presence (e.g., regarding religious education in schools)?
- What influence does Christianity (the Church) have on significant developments in secular societies?
- Does the innovative aspect of the modern European identity trend towards the atheization of society and the European individual?
These and other questions will be discussed by the panelists, who bring their personal experiences from Serbia, France, Germany, and Switzerland. We will explore:
- Where does Serbia, as a secular state, stand in comparison to the other prominent secular European states regarding its foundational Christian identity?
Does atheist activism, which seeks to suppress the voice of the Church in the name of “secularism,” resemble experiences in other European countries?
