gulen movement & politics in turkey
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
TURKEY’SGÜLEN
MOVEMENT
Hacking State Secularism Through Religious Civil
Engagement
Modern Turkey
Question: What political impact can a religious movement have in a country that excludes religion from the public sphere?
Modern Turkey
Question: What political impact can a religious movement have in a country that excludes religion from the public sphere?
Turkey - Laicité secularism since fall of Ottoman Empire Rule by “laity” vs. clergy
Absence of state religion
Religion is only a private matter
Religious considerations considered incompatible with reasoned political debate.
Modern Turkey
Modern Turkish state founded on Kemal Ataturk’s vision:
Constitutional Republic
Power held by the people vs. tribal and religious leaders
Banished (Ottoman) religious interference from public sphere
Turkish nationalism emphasized over a various of ethnic/religious identities
Embrace of modern secular (European) ideas and institutions
Modern Turkey
Religion in Public Sphere Mosques managed by the government’s Directorate of
Religious Affairs
Prevents mosques from being a locus of political mobilization
Religious groups not allowed to form political parties
Approves state-friendly Sunni Islamic teaching vs. ethnic, Sufi variations
Modern Turkey
Religion in Public Sphere Restrictions on religious freedom
Closure and confiscation of Christian churches and seminaries
Denial of access to government-held sacred spaces for religious observances
Denial of full legal status to religious minorities
Modern Turkey
AKP (Justice and Development)Party In power from 2002-Present
Center-right politics, liberal market economy, socially conservative
Considered Pro-Western & pro-American
Seeks to loosen some restrictions on public expression of religion
Constrained by Kemalist establishment in military, judiciary, etc.
The Gülen Movement
Founder: Fethullah Gülen Lives in exile in Saylorsburg,
Pennsylvania
Background in Sufi teaching, Sunni (Hanafi) thought
Argues that liberal democracy is compatible with Islam
Openly looks to Western religious and political thought to augment his own vision
The Gülen Movement
Controversial Movement in Turkey
The Gülen Movement
Founder: Fethullah Gülen
“When I was in elementary school around the age of 6 and when I did my noon prayer during recess once, I was locked in the basement as punishment by the principal. Such pressure was real.
Today, on the one hand, some Muslims face oppression and in response, certain individuals commit suicide attacks. Religion doesn't condone or justify responding to those who oppress with oppression.”
The Gülen Mopvement
Gülen’s Teachings: Shades of Karl Barth Stresses that the inner dimension of Islam should
drive how a Muslim acts in society
Muslims should practice service to the community, and make their goal to serve common good (hizmet)
Advocates religious freedom and interreligious dialogue
Political sphere should not restrict private or public expressions of religion
The Gülen Movement
Gülen’s Political Theology “Companion Model” of State-Religion Relationship
Muhammad listened to all of his companions when considering civil issues. Modern states should follow this example.
Very limited number of divine decrees regarding religion and state
“Secondary matters” are the domain of the state, yet should reflect the judgment and wisdom of the people.
Citizens should cultivate their faith, and bring the wisdom they receive through their faith into the public square.
The Gülen Movement
Parallels in Western Political/Religious Thought Two Ideas About Faith and the Public Square
John Rawls (Much like Kemalist Turkey): Religion and Faith entirely separate Faith a private issue State policies argued from Reason alone Equal footing for all faiths, with Reason as common
ground
The Gülen Movement
Parallels in Western Political/Religious Thought Two Ideas About Faith and the Public Square
John Rawls (Much like Kemalist Turkey): Religion and Faith entirely separate Faith a private issue State policies argued from Reason alone Equal footing for all faiths, with Reason as common ground
Alfred Stepan/Twin Tolerations (Much like Gülen’s Vision): No interference by State on Church, and vice versa Citizens do not leave religious identity behind in public
dialogue Right of religious groups to mobilize in civil and political
space
The Gülen Movement
Movement in Turkish civil society
The Gülen Movement
Turkish civil society Growing influence in
education, business andother sectors
Viewed with suspicion bypolitical figures (still a mysterious group to many Turkish citizens)
Movement aims for long-term goals of changing Turkish political and religious life.
Modern Turkey
Question: What political impact can a religious movement have in a country that excludes religion from the public sphere? The Gülen Movement aims to have a profound impact
Activism and Influence in Civil Society is the Key Education Business Media Social Services
TURKEY’SGÜLEN
MOVEMENT
Hacking State Secularism Through Religious Civil
Engagement