Religion and International Relations: Paradoxes and Necessities

This article is based on a speech delivered by Dr. Rohani in the opening ceremony of a conference entitled "Religion and International Relations" held in the Center for Strategic Research on January 2009. Generally, what is discussed in studying the relationship between religion and international relations is the role of religious beliefs in forming political opinions and in creating incentives for political action by citizens, organizations, states, and leaders at the international level.In his speech, Dr. Rohani addressed various topics including religion and international relations after Renaissance, philosophical explanation of secularism, religion and theories of international relations, political and social consequences of modernization, Iranian example, effects of religion on international relations, imperatives of a religious state in the international system and religion in the process of globalization.He concludes that at the present time, religions have challenged the mainstream paradigms of international relations and have become a factor contributing to resistance against domination.