One of the most striking mutations ocurring in our complex societies is one that affects the traditional relations between so-called 'secularism' and the religious confessions. During the last centuries in the West, these relations have been tense and conflictive. Currently, this relationship is taking on new forms that, moreover, extend to broader and more multifaceted scenarios. This work covers some of these changes, which manifest the enormous plurality of this long relationship. This book brings together a group of experts from Europe, USA and Australasia who, from their respective fields, whether historical, legal or sociological, have investigated the most controversial aspects of this complex reality.

Jaime Contreras is currently full Professor of Modern European History at Alcala University in Spain. He has led twelve national and European competitive projects. His writings and courses at l'École des Hautes Etudes Hispaniques et Ibériques, UNAM in Mexico, and Agdall University in Rabat have focused on the Inquisition in Early Modern Europe, religious minorities in Spain and Judaism. Rosa María Martínez de Codes is Professor of American History at the University Complutense in Madrid. Previously, she was Vice Director of Religious Affairs at the Spanish Ministry of Justice (1996-2002). Her writings and courses at Universities in Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and USA have focused on church and state relationship and religious freedom.