SECULAR ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE POSTMODERN CONTEXT (GIANNI VATTIMO AND RENÉ GIRARD)
SECULAR ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE POSTMODERN CONTEXT (GIANNI VATTIMO AND RENÉ GIRARD)

Summary/Abstract: The pluralism of postmodern society eliminates the claim of absolute foundation. In a world of language games, no form of knowledge can offer final, irrevocable and indisputable justifications. Religion faces the situation of having to give up its character of absolute authority. Its degree of legitimacy is positioned at the same level with other forms of knowledge. According to the postmodern lectures of Christianity, the authority of reason must be replaced with “weak thought” (Gianni Vattimo). The deconstruction of the metaphysical tradition, without enforcing other principles, leads to a relativization that would delegitimize. The metastories, the justifying authorities of any type, the fundaments and archetypes are shaken from their very own foundations and, namely, from their abilities of absolute legitimization. These considerations determine religion to take a step back, to adopt a weaker position, to open towards dialogue. Which are the difficulties of religion in a postmodern context? How does Christianity redefine its position in relation to the world? To what extent can we talk about secular aspects of Christianity? I shall try to answer to these questions starting from the visions of Gianni Vattimo and of René Girard.

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