Introduction: the religious efficacy of public spheres

The relationship between religious and public domains bears critically upon social inclusion and political representation everywhere, even more so in times of hardening identity politics. This introduction frames the chapters to follow, and problematises the relationship of religion to public spheres in Asia and the Pacific. Some religious activities, concepts and identities are seen as productively and beneficially public ones, whereas others are met with embarrassment. One consequence of grand narratives of secular modernity is that various practices, symbols and styles of religion are characterised as undignified or anachronistic in public domains, being interpreted as the work of people who have failed to notice the ‘crossing-out of God’ in Latour’s expression. This introduction frames the problem in the literature on religion and public spheres, and outlines the analytical perspective taken by chapter authors: chapters reveal individuals and groups making evaluations of public domains in Asia and the Pacific as efficacious sites for religion. This perspective inverts the more commonly encountered inquiry that asks about the efficacy of religion for public domains.