RELIGION SOCIETY & THE INDIVIDUAL Today the tension between these three entities is thrown into high relief as Western society's secular structures are challenged by particular religious groups. Should secular universities and private business bend to the religious demands of traditionalists? Can Western values be maintained when their most hallowed structures are dismantled? When Napoleon addressed this question he required of the Alsace Jews that they accept citizenship as individuals but not as a community: Napoleon's new republic ensured the universality of social freedoms and responsibilities while allowing personal freedom of religion. What Napoleon effectively did was enshrine citizenship as a sacred relationship between citizen and country. How else can society's harmony and prosperity be ensured? Religion Society and the Individual is a session at the Brisbane Writers Festival on Saturday - come and hear me in discussion with some of the experts. 15/9/07: 3:20pm