No Separation: Christians, Secular Democracy, and Sex

Powerful illiberal Christian movements have upended liberal democracies in countries that were once seen as paradigms of secular governance, driven by authoritarianism, heterosexism, xenophobia, and ethnoracial nationalism. Ludger H. Viefhues-Bailey's book, No Separation, explores the foundations of these movements and the tension between secularism and democracy, showing how cultural religions emerge to control womens bodies, national borders, and the racialized reproduction of the People in defense of the ideal of popular sovereignty.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In countries that were once considered models of secular governance, powerful illiberal Christian movements have successfully challenged liberal democracies through a potent mix of authoritarianism, heterosexism, xenophobia, and ethnoracial nationalism. Ludger H. Viefhues-Bailey, in his book "No Separation," provides valuable insights into the foundations of these movements, revealing how they emerge from the contradictions at the intersection of secularism and democracy.

No Separation delves into recent conflicts that intertwine national identity, religion, and sexuality, examining debates over Muslim veiling practices in Germany, same-sex marriage in France, and migration and abortion in the United States. In each of these cases, illiberal Christianities portray popular sovereignty as threatened while simultaneously displaying an obsessive concern with the politics of sex and reproduction.

Through a comprehensive analysis that connects political theology, political philosophy, and the sociology of religion with gender and sexuality studies, No Separation offers a deeply original perspective on the crisis of democracy and the limitations of secularism. It proposes alternative ways of imagining the People, advocating for a more humane vision of borders, sexualities, and social bonds.

Viefhues-Bailey's book sheds light on the complex dynamics that drive these movements and their impact on democratic societies. It challenges the notion that secularism and democracy can be easily reconciled and highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between religion, politics, and social norms. By examining the intersections of power, identity, and culture, No Separation provides valuable insights into the challenges facing liberal democracies in the 21st century and offers potential solutions for building more inclusive and democratic societies.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231163446