The Limits of Tolerance in Public Universities

Abstract

In this article, our aim is to reflect on the legitimate ways that religious pluralism may be managed in the state-owned public university environment. To do this, it will be necessary to take into consideration the essential characteristics of the origin of the university. The second point in our work will be to clarify the concept of tolerance and its difference from neutrality, which will allow us to carry out the reflection and subsequent discussion with rigour. For our third point, we will describe the essential characteristics of the religious conflicts that can be found in our European universities and how they are being managed. Following a critical analysis of these cases, we will present a proposal of criteria to be used in evaluating the religious practices in state-owned public universities based on the theory of discourse ethics. Finally, in the conclusion we will indicate some new lines of research and the path that public institutions may follow in managing religious conflict.