Religion in the Public Sphere in Central and Eastern Europe

In Central and Eastern Europe religion is an important factor of public sphere. We argue that these societies develop their own social model of religion, which seem to be based on cultural religion, national churches and historical legacies. The latter is specifically observed in the perception of religious pluralism.

This volume presents the outcomes of qualitative research on the meaning of religion in selected CEE regions. In several case studies, we reveal some features of social perception of religion present in verbalized and institutionalized social experiences and practices. We argue these societies develop their own social model of religion, which seems to be largely based on cultural, religious, and historical schemes dating back to the Habsburg Monarchy. They locate religious identity on a continuum with civic identity. Historical diversity may be endorsed as traditional pluralism while equality and tolerance is considered unnecessary. Capturing contradicting images of historical and contemporary pluralism may offer new insight into the puzzle of religion and politics in the CEE region.

Autorentext

Zdzis aw Mach is Professor of Sociology and the founder of the Institute for European Studies at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. His research interests cover identity issues of nationalism, minorities and ethnicity, (re)constructions of identities, religion and politics in Central-Eastern Europe. Emilia Moddelmog-Anweiler is researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Jagiellonian University. Her research interests include issues of social and cultural identities, religion and public discourses in Central Eastern Europe, European politics and migration.

Inhalt

Religious identities and religious pluralism in Central/Eastern Europe. The law governing the relationship between the state and the church in Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. Religion in the Polish Political Debates: Stances adopted by the Major Political Actors. The specificity of the church-state relationship model in Central/Eastern Europe.