Catholic Faith as an Identification Symbol in Contemporary Europe Cover Image

Katolická víra jako identifikační symbol v dnešní Evropě
Catholic Faith as an Identification Symbol in Contemporary Europe

Author(s): Petr Fiala, Anna Matušinová
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: Religion; European politics; European integration; catholic faith; identity

Summary/Abstract: Religion in contemporary Europe has been forced out of politics but religious themes repeatedly return in European politics. The article deals with the question of how the Catholic faith, as as a symbol of identification, and the political and social issues conditioned by Catholic faith influence current European policy. Sociological research has indicated a link between identification with the Church and social attitudes, and the influence of religious identification on the approach toward European integration. The key theme of the article is the analysis of religious topics at the political level and the consequences of the struggle of the cross, as well as the resulting influence on political or judicial power in European countries. Using specific examples, it is shown that some of the manifestations of the Catholic faith represent an identification symbol and that religious themes have remained strong.

  • Issue Year: XX/2013
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 346-357
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Czech