Borders of Differences: a European challenge

Abstract

Тhe article analyzes borders of cultural and religious differences in multicultural society and some formulas of peaceful coexistence. A border as a meeting point of differences becomes a “transitional object” and an object of permanent transgression. The paper draws attention to the significance of the religious factor within existing multicultural contexts as well as highlights the impact that religious pluralism might have on identity. The author explores some key markers of the border of differences: values, individual rights, freedom of expression, family – gender relations, the changes in the European religious landscape and different understanding of religious tolerance. The author examines such problems as religious appearance, religious landscape and its visualization in public life. The otherness of religious appearance and public demonstration of religious symbols has become the subject of restrictive and prohibitive acts in a number of European countries. The problem of cultural adaptation, its borders, as well as dialogue and compromise possibilities between various cultural traditions are analyzed in the sense of European discourse.