History as Religious Self-mediation: The Case of the Firstborn Laestadians

Abstract

The Firstborn group is one of the main groups of the Laestadian tradition. As in Protestantism in general, the Laestadian movement has always been, and continues to be, a producer of transnational mass communication. This article's primary focus is the Firstborn group's self-mediation through minor historical books and booklets. This genre seems more developed and used among Firstborns when compared to other Laestadian groups. Here, an alphabetical, linear and conceptual communication of religion is produced which points to an affective, symbolic and emotional religious practice that is special to the Firstborn group. A loyalty to tradition and the elders in Swedish Lapland are an important part of this communication of religion. Examples from the books and booklets will be discussed in light of recent theoretical perspectives drawn from studies of religion and media, with a basic assumption that all religions are mediated and thus in need of mediation. Religious groups choose different strategies of mediation and with regard to the Firstborn Laestadians, this article will illustrate how they have chosen the production of historical scriptures for self-mediation.