The Allergy to Otherness: What Modernity Did to the Pew Next to You with Ilia Delio

In a recent session of The Future of Religion series, theologian Ilia Delio returned from Germany to engage with an extensive and complex set of questions on modern religious thought. The discussion centered on the historical development of the boundary between natural and supernatural realms, a dichotomy that has profoundly influenced contemporary spirituality and religious perspectives.

Delio traced the philosophical and theological roots of this division, highlighting how Enlightenment thinkers, particularly the philosopher David Hume, contributed to excluding the divine from empirical discourse. This intellectual move effectively redefined God’s role in the public and philosophical arenas, relegating the concept of the supernatural to a space beyond rational scrutiny.

The conversation further examined German biblical scholarship's role in this transformation. German theologians and philosophers critically reevaluated scriptural interpretations, fostering a framework where the supernatural was increasingly viewed through a naturalistic lens. This shift was instrumental in constructing a modern religious sensibility that often regards traditional notions of the divine with skepticism or detachment.

Delio’s reflections underscored the broader cultural consequences of this binary, suggesting that it has cultivated a form of alienation toward 'otherness'—the unfamiliar or transcendent aspects of human experience. This alienation manifests in social and religious contexts, where encounters with different beliefs or spiritual expressions can provoke discomfort or rejection.

The session highlighted how these philosophical developments are not merely historical footnotes but continue to shape contemporary religious identities and interfaith dynamics. By understanding the origins and implications of the natural-supernatural divide, the discussion invites a reconsideration of how modernity frames religious experience and the coexistence of diverse worldviews.

While the conversation provided rich insights into the intersections of philosophy, theology, and modernity, specific details regarding the full scope of Delio’s arguments and examples remain limited due to the condensed nature of the session. Nevertheless, the engagement illuminated key tensions in the evolving landscape of religion, particularly concerning openness to difference and the place of the sacred in a secular age.

This exploration aligns with ongoing scholarly efforts to reassess the legacy of Enlightenment rationalism on faith traditions. It challenges audiences to reflect on the implications of categorizing religious phenomena within rigid binaries and encourages dialogue that bridges divides rather than entrenches them.

Overall, Ilia Delio’s participation in The Future of Religion series marks a significant contribution to contemporary debates on spirituality, modernity, and the enduring quest to reconcile faith with reason in an increasingly pluralistic world.