Is Europe Christian?

As Europe wrangles over questions of national identity, nativism and immigration, Olivier Roy interrogates the place of Christianity, foundation of Western identity. Do secularism and Islam really pose threats to the continent's 'Christian values'? What will be the fate of Christianity in
Europe?

Rather than repeating the familiar narrative of decline, Roy challenges the significance of secularized Western nations' reduction of Christianity to a purely cultural force- relegated to issues such as abortion, euthanasia and equal marriage. He illustrates that, globally, quite the opposite has
occurred: Christianity is now universalized, and detached from national identity. Not only has it taken hold in the Global South, generally in a more socially conservative form than in the West, but it has also 'returned' to Europe, following immigration from former colonies. Despite attempts within
Europe to nationalize or even racialize it, Christianity's future is global, non-European and immigrant-as the continent's Churches well know.

This short but bracing book confirms Roy's reputation as one of the most acute observers of our times. It represents a persuasive and novel vision of religion's place in national life today.

"As Europe wrangles over questions of national identity, nativism and immigration, Olivier Roy interrogates the place of Christianity, foundation of Western identity. Do secularism and Islam really pose threats to the continent's 'Christian values'? What will be the fate of Christianity in Europe? Rather than repeating the familiar narrative of decline, Roy challenges the significance of secularized Western nations' reduction of Christianity to a purely cultural force- relegated to issues such as abortion, euthanasia and equal marriage. He illustrates that, globally, quite the opposite has occurred: Christianity is now universalized, and detached from national identity. Not only has it taken hold in the Global South, generally in a more socially conservative form than in the West, but it has also 'returned' to Europe, following immigration from former colonies. Despite attempts within Europe to nationalize or even racialize it, Christianity's future is global, non-European and immigrant-as the continent's Churches well know. This short but bracing book confirms Roy's reputation as one of the most acute observers of our times. It represents a persuasive and novel vision of religion's place in national life today."--Publisher's website.

"The secularization of Europe is beyond dispute. . . . But as Olivier Roy points out in a timely book, it is a process that has taken centuries."--Financial Times

"Roy's book is both complex and powerful, detailed without ever losing sight of the big picture, and full of telling illustrations. It represents a novel vision of the crisis in secularism brought about by its final absorption of religion in national life." -- Faisal Devji, Professor of Indian
History, University of Oxford, and author of Muslim Zion

"For those interested in the deep historical roots of our present political crisis, this book is a must-read. In plain language and with broad strokes, Roy traces the shifting lines of the culture wars that are rattling democracy on both sides of the Atlantic." -- Philip Gorski, Professor of
Sociology, University of California, Berkeley Philip Gorski, Professor of Sociology, Yale University

"Another insightful contribution to our understanding of religion in Europe from Olivier Roy. Rich in historical reference and engaging in its approach, Is Europe Christian? brings vital nuance to what is truly a poignant question today." -- Effie Fokas, Research Associate, London School of
Economics Hellenic Observatory, and co-author of Religious America, Secular Europe?

"In Is Europe Christian? [Olivier Roy] offers little comfort to those who hope for the revival of Christian Europe. . . I commend [his] book, because it raises questions which must be faced."--A.N. Wilson, Standpoint Magazine

"Rivetingly, this unsurpassed authority on the politics of contemporary Islam turns to elucidate the tensions surrounding Christian morality, the scandal of clerical paedophilia, the libertarian individualism that has spread since the 1960s, and caricatural claims to a Christian European identity."
-- Jonathan Benthall, Director Emeritus, Royal Anthropological Institute

"provocative and sprightly" -- Times Literary Supplement

"Roy's fascinating, readable and packed little book reminds us that the story of European secularization is a long but punctuated one". -- lTheos Think Tank

"An important contribution to a very difficult discussion."

-- New Books Network

"[A] stimulating and rewarding book."

-- Christianity Today