It is not religions that are a problem for Europe, but the assumption that only secular societies can be democratic societies. José Casanova challenges the widely held paradigm in Europe that secularization is a prerequisite for open and democratic societies. He sharply analyzes how this has led to the belief that religion is intolerant and generates conflict. A distorted perception of Islam is the result, which entangles Europe in a series of contradictions. He draws striking parallels between today’s global discourse on Islam as a fundamentalist, undemocratic, and sexist religion and the discourse that Protestants had about Catholicism in the 19th century. And he warns: "This creates a mutual accommodation that is necessary for successful integration.".