Habermas on Religion in the Public Sphere: a Post-Secular Conservative Critique

Jürgen Habermas “institutional proviso” purports to overcome secularism by inviting religion back into the public debate. This paper examines Habermas’ understanding of the role of religion in the public sphere and his attempt to make room for religious citizens in the post-secular society. My main argument is that Habermas’ desire to welcome religion in the public sphere is blocked by aspects of his own philosophy: namely, an understanding of religion over against the secular, and a concept of neutrality informed by the Enlightenment’s prejudice against tradition. Habermas fails to grasp the difficulties involved in the “translation” process. His own political project relies upon the truth-validity of religious presuppositions and in some ways operates in terms of what some have called “political religion.” While Habermas’ effort to welcome religion is rightly celebrated, he is still not able to articulate a coherent affirmation of the necessity of religion in the public life.