Contemporary religious changes: From desecularization to postsecularization
Contemporary religious changes: From desecularization to postsecularization
Author(s): Dragan M. Todorović, Mirko Blagojević, Dragoljub B. Đorđević
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Институт друштвених наука
Keywords: Religion; Nationalism; Religious Divisions; Ethnic Conflict; Desecularization
Summary/Abstract: Religious life and the connections between individuals and social groups with religions and their institutions are subject to constant changes and different social influences. And the past of the Balkans undoubtedly bears witness to the degree to which extra-religious and extra-institutional circumstances (concentrated around the salvation of the believers) contribute to changes in religious and institutional life of individuals and social groups. The aforementioned changes are so strong and obvious that it would be very hard to give a complete account of them without underlining as essential for their explanation the social and even interna- tional political factors, even if we face the risk of falling into a kind of sociologism. However, between the claim that the entirety of religious life (both personal and institutional) is wholly dependent on a constellation of ambient social circumstances and the claim that the circumstances in question influence religious life realistically to a high or low degree, a clear distinction exists. And probably social sciences are the most invited among the sciences to analyze and explain the way and the degree to which the social events of the 1970’s in Europe and around the world influenced the changes in the relationships between people and social groups, for both long- standing religions that have existed for centuries and more recent ones, including brand new religious ideas, expressions and practices. Of course, the social changes in question also had an influence on the social position of religions and religious institu- tions. In that regard the ambient influence of society on religion and religious instituti- ons is not unidirectional, because the changed state of the religion subsequently influences social actors, culture, politics, morals and general social values.
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-86-7093-229-6
- Page Count: 126
- Publication Year: 2020
- Language: English
RELIGIONS AND NATIONS AS FACTORS OF DIVISIONS AND DESINTEGRATION IN THE BALKANS
RELIGIONS AND NATIONS AS FACTORS OF DIVISIONS AND DESINTEGRATION IN THE BALKANS
(RELIGIONS AND NATIONS AS FACTORS OF DIVISIONS AND DESINTEGRATION IN THE BALKANS)
- Author(s):Ivan Cvitković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Sociology, Politics and religion, Nationalism Studies
- Page Range:9-20
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:religion; nation; divisions; Bosnia and Herzegovina; crime; integrative and disintegrative role
- Summary/Abstract:Differences in the approach of theologians and sociologists to religion. Why is there no critical approach to religion in today's sociology? About overestimating an integrative role of religion in society. Does the disintegrative role of religion and nation replace this role in the global, networked, informational society? Such national and confessionally complex societies are also in the area of ex. Yugoslavia. The Bal-kans as the "limit of curse" amongst religions and confessions. Do we overlook the role of religion as a ca-pital for social changes? Religious and national situation in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina according to the 2013 census. The data show that religion and nations act integratively (homogenisingly) within a national-confessional group, but also disintegratively (distancing) towards members of other na-tional confessional groups. Has multiconfessional and multinational Bosnia and Herzegovina become a past? Societies in which religion is not a force of peace and stability, but a source of tension and conflicts. Religion as a factor of conflict and separation (from others). Religion can also divide the members of the same national community. Different interpretation of the past, especially war events, as a source of divisions. Divisions within the same religion. Does a sociologist need to deal with them? Nationalism as a source of divisions. The role of intellectuals in the emergence and leader-ship of nationalism. The Balkan market of nationalisms. Croatian, Bosniak and Serbian nationalism. The nation and religion can serve as a source of violence. Violence expressed in "ethnic cleansing". Violence over cultural goods. When religious and national divisions lead to a crime. What is the relationship of religious communities to victims, crimes and criminals? Today's situation.
(DE)SECULARIZATION IN THE XXI CENTURY: EMPIRICAL VERIFICATION OF THE REVITALISATION OF RELIGIOSITY IN SERBIA
(DE)SECULARIZATION IN THE XXI CENTURY: EMPIRICAL VERIFICATION OF THE REVITALISATION OF RELIGIOSITY IN SERBIA
((DE)SECULARIZATION IN THE XXI CENTURY: EMPIRICAL VERIFICATION OF THE REVITALISATION OF RELIGIOSITY IN SERBIA)
- Author(s):Dragana Radisavljević Ćiparizović, Ana S. Vuković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:21-30
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:(de)secularization; empirical reasrches; Serbian Ortodox Church; Euro- pe; Serbia
- Summary/Abstract:The purpos of this paper is a clarification of the terms and proceses of deseculari- zation and modernity, wich are inevitable when one regards religious changes in modern pos- tindustrial societies, as well as in postsocialist ones. Empirical reasrches confirm that even the most secular Western Europe does not have a homogenus religious society. In the second part of the paper the autores will use key empirical research in an attempt to show revitalisation of religion in Serbia as well. The nineteen-nineties brought war, crisis and transition, but they also brought a functional change for the Serbian Ortodox Church. This paper will address so- me of these changes: 1) religion is not just a personal thing any more, it assumes a certain pla- ce in the public sphere; 2) a new law of religious freedom (2006) changed the legal status of religious communities; 3) religious centers and temples are being rebuilt and built; 4) reli- gions have gained their place in the media (public and private), and religious radio and tv sta- tions are also created; 5) religious communities are reciving financial suport, as well as tax brakes from the state, and they are gradually taking control over their property which was pre- viously nationalised. There is also an reemergence of Religious education in Primary and Se- condary Schools, religious service in the military and in the hospitals, so it is necessary to mo- nitor these processes in future.
RELIGIOUS CHANGE AND THE INTERNET: DIALECTICS OF THE CONFLICT OVER NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES
RELIGIOUS CHANGE AND THE INTERNET: DIALECTICS OF THE CONFLICT OVER NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES
(RELIGIOUS CHANGE AND THE INTERNET: DIALECTICS OF THE CONFLICT OVER NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES)
- Author(s):Željko Pavić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Communication studies, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:31-42
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:religious transformation; Internet; new media; mediatization; sociocultural changes
- Summary/Abstract:Although religion in some form has always had to be mediated, the emergence of the Internet leads to new dynamics and possible changes in the field of religion. The Internet brings new communication opportunities through its non-hierarchical communication patterns, multimodality, interactivity and hypertextuality, as opposed to the hiearchical stance of the „old media“. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the new media logic should bear important consequences on the contemporary religious changes. Based on the two case studies presented in the paper and theoretical considerations, the paper proposes an idea that the Internet in- deed brings new possibilities for the religious change towards „the new religiosity“ (religious individualism, ecclecticism, etc.). However, it is also emphasized that new possibilities of con- trol on the side of traditional religious authorities arise as well, i.e. that the changes that fo- llow the mediatization of religion should not be overstated since there is a great overlap bet- ween offline and online religious worlds. It is also concluded that the topic of mediatization of religion should be an inherent part of the discussions over secularization and desecularization in the contemporary world.
THE AMISH IN REALITY SHOW
THE AMISH IN REALITY SHOW
(THE AMISH IN REALITY SHOW)
- Author(s):Dorotea Janković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Communication studies, Politics and religion
- Page Range:43-51
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:TLC; National Geographic; Breaking Amish; Return to Amish; Out of Order
- Summary/Abstract:The paper analyzes the content of the reality television series Breaking Amish and Return to Amish, broadcasted on TLC television, as well as the analysis of the documentary Out of Order, broadcasted on National Geography, all dedicated to the life of Amish, a conservative Christian group from North America. A total of 26 hours of material, broadcasted between 2012-2014, was analysed. The aim of the research is to determine the image of Amish as created in the reality and documentary programs. Content analysis was preceded by an overview of the existing knowledge about the way of life, beliefs and customs of this Protestant de- nomination on the basis of comprensive foreign literature. A separate chapter in this paper covers an exclusive interview with Christopher Petrović, the only Amish in Serbia, who currently lives in Niska Banja. A comparison of information derived from the scientific literature, television material and the answers obtained from the interview, points to a conclusion that the presentation of such programs creates a distorted image of Amish and their lives, which significantly affects their relationship with other people and religions in real life.
ASPECTS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEWS IN THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE OF ST. PETERSBURG
ASPECTS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEWS IN THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE OF ST. PETERSBURG
(ASPECTS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEWS IN THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE OF ST. PETERSBURG)
- Author(s):Alexander Alexandrovich Pelin, Vladimir Dmitrievich Kovalenko, Olga Mikhailovna Gladkaya
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Communication studies, Politics and religion
- Page Range:53-60
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:secular; religious; discourse; St. Petersburg; Russia
- Summary/Abstract:The article actualizes the specific role of St. Petersburg as a significant center of Russian traditional religions, and as a center for the development of art, culture and science; analyzes current trends in both intra-religious and inter-religious contexts; examines the process of the modern religious and secular discourses relationship. In this study the authors address to the methods of content analysis and discourse analysis, supported by a descriptive method. The peculiarity of St. Petersburg in this perspective has a generic specificity of the whole religious and confessional situation in Russia; in many ways, the religious field of modern Russia naturally derives from its historical past, in which there were no large-scale religious conflicts (such as European), also, this past was based on multi-ethnic and multi-confessional composition of the population.
БОГАТСТВО БЕДНОСТИ, ИЛИ МОЖЕТ ЛИ РЕЛИГИЯ БЫТЬ БЕДНОЙ? (СО-РАЗМЫШЛЕНИЯ С М. ЭПШТЕЙНОМ)
БОГАТСТВО БЕДНОСТИ, ИЛИ МОЖЕТ ЛИ РЕЛИГИЯ БЫТЬ БЕДНОЙ? (СО-РАЗМЫШЛЕНИЯ С М. ЭПШТЕЙНОМ)
(The Wealth of Poorness, or Can Religion Be Poor? (Co-Reflections with M. EPSTEIN))
- Author(s):Nataliya Shelkovaya
- Language:Russian
- Subject(s):Economy, Politics and religion, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:61-73
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:"minimal (poor) religion"; resurrection theology; atheism; the Church; the Antichrist; theology of cosmopoiesis
- Summary/Abstract:В статье раскрывается и анализируется концепция „минимальной (бедной) религии“ М. Эпштейна, выросшей из пустоты и опустошенности атеизмом. „Минималь- ная религия“ – феномен пост-атеистической религиозности. Эта религиозность назы- вается „бедной“, ибо почти ничего не имеет в этом мире: ни храмов, ни ритуалов, ни доктрин. Всё, что она имеет – это общение с Богом здесь и сейчас. Это не религия „го- ворения о Боге“, а религия „разговора с Богом“, „Божьего слуха“. Здесь на место тра- диционной теологии „Слова о Боге“ приходит теология „Слова Бога о Самом Себе“ – теология космопоэзиса; теология „смерти Бога“ трансформируется в „теологию воскре- сения“, т.е. новой жизни Бога за пределами его церковно-исторического тела. „Мини- мальная религия“ – это непосредственная связь, соединение с Богом без посредников в лице Церкви, которая в облике клерикализма выполняет часто роль Антихриста, под- меняющего собою Бога. „Бедную религию“, по мнению Эпштейна, можно сопоставить с „бедным искусством“ – авангардизмом. Как в авангардизме главное – не что, а кто, не что создано, а кто создает и вера в то, что этот кто – гениален, а, значит, и произведе- ние, созданное этим кто гениально, так и в „бедной религии“: главное – не что мы ви- дим в мире, а Кто это создает, не что с нами и миром происходит, а Кто руководит этим происходящим. Здесь возникают проблемы непостижимости замыслов Бога, Его вне- моральности, ибо Бог стоит по ту сторону человеческих, эгоистических представлений о добре и зле. Лишь вступая в со-творчество с Богом путем разрушения скорлупы своего „Эго“, ощущая себя бедным и нищим перед лицом Бога, человек обретает всё – вели- чайшее богатство – встречу с Богом в своем сердце, способность к видению и слышанию Бога через Его творения. Такова очень богатая – „бедная религия“.
RELIGIOSITY AND ALTRUISTIC ORIENTATION IN ECONOMICALLY DEVELOPED EUROPEAN SOCIETIES
RELIGIOSITY AND ALTRUISTIC ORIENTATION IN ECONOMICALLY DEVELOPED EUROPEAN SOCIETIES
(RELIGIOSITY AND ALTRUISTIC ORIENTATION IN ECONOMICALLY DEVELOPED EUROPEAN SOCIETIES)
- Author(s):Vladimir S. Mentus, Nataša Jovanović Ajzenhamer
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economy, Politics and religion, Socio-Economic Research, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:75-87
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:religiosity; altruistic orientation; (de)secularization; Europe; European Social Survey
- Summary/Abstract:In this paper, we examine the relationship between religiosity and altruistic value orientation in economically developed European societies. The data come from the European Social Survey (ESS). Religiosity within ESS is measured by three dimensions – self-evalua- tion, frequency of attendance of religious services apart from special occasions and frequency of praying apart from at religious services. Altruistic value orientation is measured by rating of personal importance of helping people and caring for others well-being. Using cross-sectional data from the last round of the ESS (from 2016), from thirteen economically developed Euro- pean countries, we revealed very weak relationship between all three dimensions of religiosity and altruistic orientation. Secondly, using data from all the prior rounds of the ESS, from 2002 to 2016, we also examined trends of both religiosity and altruistic value orientation within the same societies. The results indicate decline of religiosity and rise of altruistic orientation in all of examined countries.
THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN BANKING BUSINESS IN ISLAMIC LAW
THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN BANKING BUSINESS IN ISLAMIC LAW
(THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN BANKING BUSINESS IN ISLAMIC LAW)
- Author(s):Ranko P. Sovilj, Sanja Stojković Zlatanović, Ivana M. Ostojić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economy, Politics and religion, Socio-Economic Research, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:89-97
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:Islam; banking; Islamic banking; prohibition on interest; sharia
- Summary/Abstract:In recent decades, the world is rapidly developing Islamic banking, as well as specific types of banking, in addition to conventional banking, as the prevailing concept of operations of banks around the world. In contrast to conventional banking that is primarily focused on profiting, Islamic banking is based on the principles of justice and fairness, in order to achieve equality in society, for the benefit of society as a whole, and in the spirit of learning Islamic religion. Islamic banking is based on Islamic law and that of the Islamic faith. Referring to the basic sources of Islam - the Quran and the Sunnah, the concept of Islamic ban- king, which is theoretically justified Sharia prohibits certain institutes such as interest; risk; uncertainties; deception; hazard, etc. Considering that interest (riba) is forbidden by the Quran, the profit and loss sharing principle, as well as partnership relations in mutual busi- ness ventures, constitute the core operations of Islamic banks. Since the interest loan is prohibited, the Islamic banks are prohibited to avoid jobs involving excessive speculative risk (Gharar). Also, Islamic banks are forbidden to finance activities that are considered harmful, or immoral for Muslims (e.g. the production and distribution of alcohol and alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons, pork meat, organizing games of chance, dealing with pornography). The duty of the Islamic bank, as well as every Muslim, is the separation of zakat, a kind of religious tax. The obligation of the zakat is based on the interpretation of the nature of the property in the Quran. Since Islamic banks are profitable institutions, like the conventional banks, specific ways of doing business are designed by Islamic law and morality (e.g. mu- rabaha, mudaraba, musharaka, istisna, ijara).
ВОСПРИЯТИЕ ПРОШЛОГО И КУЛЬТУРНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ В ОРТОДОКСАЛЬНОЙ ХРИСТИАНСКОЙ ТРАДИЦИИ
ВОСПРИЯТИЕ ПРОШЛОГО И КУЛЬТУРНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ В ОРТОДОКСАЛЬНОЙ ХРИСТИАНСКОЙ ТРАДИЦИИ
(PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND CULTURAL MEMORY IN THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN TRADITION)
- Author(s):Olga Olegivna Smolina
- Language:Russian
- Subject(s):Politics, Political Theory, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion, Politics of History/Memory
- Page Range:99-107
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:memorial cultural studies; past; cultural memory; Orthodox Christian tradition; Orthodox monasticism; temporal stratification of culture
- Summary/Abstract:В культуре православного монашества прошлого, как прошедшего, вовсе не существует (А. Сидоров). Монаху в качестве образца для подражания предлагается как житие св. Пахомия Великого (IV в.), так и житие св. Серафима Саровского (XVIII-XIX вв.). Весь положительный опыт, приближающий к Царству Небесному, включен в эту культуру, актуализирован в ней. В определенной степени эквивалентом прошлого как такого, что прошло и забыто, в ортодоксальной христианской традиции есть понятие „ветхое“ („ветхий Адам“). Труды аскетов часто содержат призывы освободиться от греховного прошлого как „совлечь с себя ветхого человека“. В понятии „ветхое“ научная традиция обнаруживает, прежде всего, аспекты неминуемого и необратимого вещественного разрушения. То есть, если понятие „прошлое“ передает в большей степени смысл временной дистанции, то „ветхое“ это тоже прошлое, но в понимании его неизбежности, необратимости, временного конца. Это качественное состояние глубоко диссонирует с культурой православного монашества, с ее порывом в вечность, преодолением временности, глубинной телеологичностью, аскетичной напряженностью, аксиологическим максимализмом. То, что в историческом опыте и культурной памяти не соответствует ценностям данной культурной традиции, не переходит в ее прошлое, а, фактически, изымается из нее, становится „не-культурой“. Эти наблюдения позволяют заключить, что культура православного монашества как часть ортодоксальной христианской традиции, имеет другую структуру, в отличие от культуры светской. Если последней присуще темпоральное расслоение на архивную, забытую, преходящую, непреходящую, живую и др., то в культуре православного монашества прошлое не является ее структурной частью.
CHURCH CHOIR AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEM
CHURCH CHOIR AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEM
(CHURCH CHOIR AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEM)
- Author(s):Yuliia Voskoboinikova
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Political Theory, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:109-116
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Orthodox Church choir; socio-cultural system; the life cycle of the church choir; the method of controlled crisis
- Summary/Abstract:The article substantiates the possibility of studying the modern Orthodox Church choir as a socio-cultural system, which is due to two projections of its being – social and culture-creating. The main determinants and factors of formation of the church choir as a sociocultural system are revealed, the functional roles of singers in the team are typologised. The principles of interaction of the individual and collective consciousness within the church choir are considered, the role of unity (conciliarity) in its liturgical activity is defined. The main characteristics of the life cycle of the church choir as a socio-cultural system are given, its typical stages and potential crises are characterized. The fundamentals of team management, including the method of controlled crisis, are formulated.
THE SPANISH CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE SECULAR INSTITUTIONS
THE SPANISH CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE SECULAR INSTITUTIONS
(THE SPANISH CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE SECULAR INSTITUTIONS)
- Author(s):Ivana Arsić, Neven V. Cvetićanin
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:117-124
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Roman Catholic Church; secular institution; ecclesiastical institution; inquisition
- Summary/Abstract:The inquisitorial institution of the Iberian Peninsula (XV-XIX) was the instrument of the society’s religious control in the hands of the absolute monarchy, while its mixed nature was recognized in its dual character based on the status of an ecclesiastical court concerning to the origin of its legitimacy and functions. At the same time was presenting a royal court due to the administrative framework. This article will analyze the relationship between the Spanish Catholic Church of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly referring to the regions of today’s Spain, towards the secular institutions of the society with an emphasis on the processes conducted by the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition that was authorized by the Pope's in supperssing heresy. In the narrower plan, the elements of the procession of the auto da fé will be analyzed where its dual origin, intertwined with liturgical and profane elements will become more prominent in the typology of sanctions and penalties that transcend the legal frameworks of the canon law and transposed under the jurisdiction of the secular authorities. This study will try to present an analysis of these dual courts, whose systems of operation lead to the confrontation of different strategies, but also to their cooperation.
NOTES ON THE EDITORS
NOTES ON THE EDITORS
(NOTES ON THE EDITORS)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics / Political Sciences, Politics and religion, Sociology of Religion
- Page Range:125-126
- No. of Pages:2
