Churches and religion in Europe : interdisciplinary methods and approaches for a European history

In order to navigate the challenges of the contemporary world and to consciously design the key tools of global citizenship, the history of religions constitutes a relevant thematic area, combining social, economic, institutional, and cultural history and can become an integrating backdrop for genuine mutual collaboration among European and world citizens. More specifically, the main narrative strands on which to graft a path of active citizenship through the history of religions are the spread of religions, the use of artistic manifestations to convey messages of faith, armed conflict, divisions, and, finally, the long road to the establishment of the principle of full freedom of worship. Through the use of these thematic junctures and related historical concepts it is possible to design educational pathways aimed at critically analyzing the contribution of religions to the development of civic knowledge and values; at recognizing the interdependence between cults and religions and their local and global dimensions; and at making connections between different international religious traditions in an intercultural perspective; to be aware of the cultural value of religious heterogeneity, participating actively in the development and maintenance of the principles of freedom and tolerance as well as in the protection of architectural and artistic heritage; to evaluate facts and orient their behaviour on the basis of a system of values consistent with the principles of the Constitutions and international human rights charters.