THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN THE POLITICAL PROCESSES OF EGYPT, ERITREA, AND ETHIOPIA IN THE XX AND XXI CENTURY Cover Image

УЛОГА РЕЛИГИЈЕ У ПОЛИТИЧКИМ ПРОЦЕСИМА ЕГИПТА, ЕРИТРЕЈЕ И ЕТИОПИЈЕ У XX И XXI ВЕКУ
THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN THE POLITICAL PROCESSES OF EGYPT, ERITREA, AND ETHIOPIA IN THE XX AND XXI CENTURY

Author(s): Milica Škorić
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Islam studies, Comparative Studies of Religion, Politics and religion
Published by: Centar za empirijska istraživanja religije (CEIR)
Keywords: Egypt; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Copts; Monophysites; Oriental-Orthodox Churches; Christianity; Islam; Secularization; Religion; Africa

Summary/Abstract: Although secularization is the principle of most countries today, in this paper in the example of Egypt, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, we will show the connection of the religious community of Oriental-Christian Christians with the authorities of the selected states. The Church has been exploited for decades in these countries for political goals, reforms, ideas of revolution, etc. This paper, among other things is exploring status of copts and divisions in understanding their identities. Religious leaders relations with the authorities in the XX and XXI century have been a central point of work. The example of secession of Eritrea from Ethiopia, which was followed by the separation of the church, proved that independent church in independent state is important element in controlling the masses and directing citizens in the desired direction. To a large extent, the paper is based on explaining the political situation in the elected states and the place of the church in those periods. It has been shown that the church often followed the authorities for the sake of survival and peace, but opposite examples are known too. The fates of these chiefs were often death, exile, or imprisonment.

  • Issue Year: 19/2021
  • Issue No: 36
  • Page Range: 349-367
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Serbian