THE COMPLEX WORLD OF PHILOSOPHICAL AND, NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

"The Complex World of Philosophical and Non-Religious Beliefs. Legal and Social Profiles" is an academic volume that gathers the proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the European Consortium for Church and State Research, held in Venice in 2022. The book explores the legal, social, and cultural dimensions of philosophical and non-religious beliefs -particularly atheism, agnosticism, secularism, and other forms of contemporary nonbelief- within European societies.

The introductory sections highlight the growing pluralism in Europe and the need to recognize not only religious diversity but also the rights and identities of non-religious individuals and communities. This includes ensuring equality, protecting freedom of conscience, and preventing discrimination against those who do not adhere to traditional or majoritarian faiths.

Several institutional greetings (from consortium leaders, UAAR representatives, and academic institutions) emphasize the importance of studying irreligiousness scientifically, free from ideological bias, and acknowledge the social relevance of non-religious perspectives in debates on secularism, human rights, education, and public life.

The early chapters also describe the evolution of comparative research on spirituality and nonbelief, stressing interdisciplinary approaches that combine sociology, anthropology, law, history, and aesthetics. They underline that contemporary irreligious identities are multifaceted, culturally dependent, and constantly evolving.

A significant portion of the initial content focuses on the legal battles and advocacy work of UAAR (the Italian Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics), including cases on apostasy ("debaptism"), the display of religious symbols in public schools, equal access to non-religious education options, censorship of secular campaigns, and broader issues related to secularism and discrimination.

Overall, the book aims to map the complex landscape of non-religious beliefs in Europe, examining how legal systems, institutions, and societies respond to the growing presence of individuals who define their worldview outside traditional religions.