Dialogue with Professor from Oxford University -- “The meaning of Religion to Civilization”

On September 25, 2019, a dialogue on the theme "The meaning of Religion to Civilization" was held at the School of Philosophy of Wuhan University. Professor Johannes Zachhuber of Trinity College of Oxford University and Professor Wu Genyou, Dean of the School of Philosophy of Wuhan University, attended the dialogue.

There are four topics in this dialogue: the relationship between religion and politics; the relationship between religion and science, philosophy; the relationship between religion and art; and the relationship between religion and secularism.

The two professors expressed their views on the relationship between religion and civilization. Professor Wu Genyou proposed that religion is the mother of human civilization. All civilizations are born with religion. For a long time in the future, religion will coexist with human civilization. Professor Zachhuber agreed with Professor Wu's point of view. He mentioned that the modern civilization of the West is the result of the combination of ancient Greek ancient Roman civilization and Christian religious culture. Professor Zahhuber also raised an important issue, that is, in today’s globalization, every civilization and religion is undergoing tremendous changes. The exchanges between people of all countries are increasingly convenient and frequent. How can people from different political, religious backgrounds and different nationalities coexist with each other? How can the 21st century civilization promote the symbiosis of multiculturalism? Those are issues we need to think about.

Then, the two professors discussed the relationship between religion and politics. Professor Wu Genyou mainly focuses on the particularity of China's religious and political relations. Professor Zachhuber introduced the views of two critics in the debate on religious and political relations in Western society in modern times. In addition, Professor Wu Genyou explained the process of unity and separation of religion and science, and Professor Zachhuber discussed the relationship between religion and philosophy.