Religion in the public sphere of a pluralistic society: The South African attempt - A Reformed perspective

The debate about the place and role of religion in a pluralistic society is and remains very acute in many countries around the world. The question can also be formulated by asking how different worldviews and life experiences can live, interact and dialogue in the same public sphere. To try to answer the question two concepts need closer attention, that of the “public sphere” and that of “religion”. The role that a Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms can play to help a variety of religions to live in the same public sphere is presented and discussed as a possible answer for the South African Society and perhaps also for other societies although they will have to develop a charter of religious rights and freedoms that meets their specific context and requirements.