The Abant symposions on the relationship between religion and society

The Abant Platform, which is one of the sub-institutions of the Journalists and Writers Foundation, was founded in 1998 and has since been famous for the symposiums it holds on the subjects widely discussed in the Turkish Society. One of the subjects it has included in its discussions is the relationship between religion and society. In this thesis I have tried to shed light on how the relationship in question has been dealt with in Abant Symposiums. It has been discussed in many of those symposiums not as the essential topic, but as a secondary one. So studying the subject in the books compiled on the debates made in those symposiums, I have tried to explain how the matter has been dealt with. First of all, I have made a brief survey of the meaning and content of religion according to both modern contents and Islam, and its place in human social life. Then, I have given information on the Journalists and Writers Foundation and the Abant Platform, adding an interview I made between Mr. Harun Tokak, the Head of the Foundation. In the third section, I have discussed how religion and its relationship between the society has been dealt with in Abant Symposiums. Most probably because of the wide spectrum of the participants and the subject being long discussed, it is observed that there are great differences of view among the Turkish intelligentsia about religion and its place in society. Trying to remain as a neutral observer or researcher I have given almost all the different views explained in the symposiums. Without being a simple reporter I have deemed it useful to make comparisons among the views. As it can easily be understood from both the discussions and the presentation of the symposiums by the representatives of the Foundation the Abant Platform holds the symposiums in order to bring together the Turkish intellectuals from different backgrounds and prevent the conflicting views in the society from being causes of social conflicts and clashes. This basic purpose followed for symposiums shows itself in the manner of discussions made in the during the symposiums and the final declarations. During my thesis I have referred whenever the occasion has required. During my study I have not only used the books on the symposiums but also some media news and commends on the subject. In making certain evaluations I have also referred to several other books that have relevance to the matter. Among the subjects discussed in this theses are the social functions of religion and its relations of with state and society, religion and modernism, interfaith dialogue and tolerance and religion in the framework of the American project of Grate or Expended Middle East. It is observed that the Abant Platform works not only a non-governmental organization but also a kind of, and the most influential, think-tang. In addition to its social impacts on Turkish social life to certain extend, it contributes to Turkish intellectual life. Its activities have been transported. Beyond the Turkish borders and being made in foreign countries such as the U.S, Belgian, France and Egypt. In these activities not only the problems concerning the Turkish society but also the matters having relevance with our region and even the whole world are being discussed.