Freedom, Faith, and Fracture: Sweden's Quran Burning Dilemma - Oliver Scharbrodt

Religion in Praxis Conversation Series

In the twenty-fourth episode of the Conversations Series, our host Tornike Metreveli is joined by Professor Oliver Scharbrodt to unpack the ethical, legal, and societal ramifications of Quran burnings in Sweden. As a nation celebrated for its commitment to free speech and multiculturalism, Sweden finds itself at the intersection of a daunting dilemma. The provocative act of Quran burning by far-right activists challenges the country's stance between upholding free speech and maintaining religious tolerance. The episode explores three central themes: the historical antecedents of religious text desecration, the motivations behind such polarizing acts within the larger European context, and the tensions between freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and societal cohesion. The episode seeks to explore how a liberal democracy reconciles its founding principles with the imperative of societal harmony. The conversation aims to illuminate the broader implications for ongoing debates about secularism, multiculturalism, and religious freedom not only in Sweden, but across Europe.