If You Want the Trophy, You Must Play
by the Rules! How the Quest for State
Support Socializes Minority Religions
in Belgium
Jelle Creemers
CSRS Visiting Research Fellow
European countries often seek to combine legislative neutrality and protection of religious freedom
with active state support for religion(s) in the public sphere. In Belgium, no less than eight religious
or philosophical orientations have official recognition and consequential benefits. The state claims
non-interference, but a close look at the relations between the state and Islam and Protestantism,
both recognized, demonstrates that it regularly frustrates the freedom it aims to protect and
promote. Based on historical examples, we will indicate key challenges and opportunities for
religious minorities seeking state support.
Jelle Creemers is Assistant Professor at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium.
He teaches Ecumenism and is the author of Theological Dialogue with Classical Pentecostals:
Challenges and Opportunities (Bloomsbury, 2015). His current research project on processes of
emancipation and socialization of Belgian Evangelical Free Churches and his stay at CSRS are
sponsored by the Research Foundation – Flanders.
Tuesday, June 28, 11:00 am– 12:00 pm
UVic, David Strong Building, Room C126
This lecture is free and open to the public.
Web: www.csrs.uvic.ca
Tel: 250-721-6325
Email: [email protected]