Full Description
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.
Contents
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.
