PROTESTANT RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IN SOCIALISTIC YUGOSLAVIA

Abstract

The work of Protestant religious groups in socialistic Yugoslavia was directly dependent on social and political circumstances in country. Protestant religious groups was numerous and various, not only in their relation with government, witth other religious groups, and the way they fulfi lled social obligations. Largest protestant churches> Evangelic Church and Reformed Christian Church, as traditional churches, have guided Protestant Christianity in Yugoslavia. Characteristics of their work are> respect for constitutional laws, cooperation with governmental agencies and high level of inter-religious tolerance. The other, less numerous Protestant Churches, was in some religious characteristic similar with traditional churches, but some of them wanted to go their own way with their own religious practice. Even tough Protestant religious groups and churches had considerable fewer believers then other traditional churches and religious groups in Yugoslavia (Serbien Ortodox Church, Catholic Church and Islamic Religion), they got more credits then they deserved. That was because they had international support and protection from their bases abroad or from international religious organizations in Europe and United States of America.