EU-Turkey According to Hurd [Yoo, Week 11, Substantive]

I find it particularly interesting that the EU-Turkey issue is much deeper than simply economic or political. Of course, issues like Cyprus are important. However, the main issue at hand is the identity of Europe. Some people consider the Turkey issue a grave one that can be a catalyst for the end of Europe. The French President suggested Turkey is not a European country. But why? Hurd suggests it is because of religious issues. The EU and Turkey can both be seen as secular institutions. As secular institutions, religion shouldn't play an issue at all. Hurd disagrees; she suggests that secularism is "a series of interlinked political that continually seek to transform and reinstitute a sociopolitical order basis of a set of constitute norms and principles." I interpret this as meaning that secularism takes different forms based on the region's norms and principles. I also interpret this as meaning Turkey, even as a secular society, has norms and principles that are incompatible with European norms and principles; thus, their secular institutions differ, resulting in difficulties admitting Turkey into the EU. After reading this article, I can better understand the true issue at hand. I find it suiting and understandable how Europe is having difficulties accepting Turkey with open arms.