Religion, subjectivity, and societal structure: politics and society according to religious leaders in Slovenia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article summarizes major findings of a study on attitudes of 30 broadly ranked religious dignitaries in Slovenia (including four active bishops of the Roman-Catholic Church), exploring their preferred relationship between religion, politics, and society. The study employed ‘Q-methodology’, which allows for a systematic analysis of subjective viewpoints and groups respondents according to their attitudes. The first aim was explorative and enquired about attitudes to the field. The findings show seven significant types of positions, but also that these are not determined by respondents’ religious background, geographical location, or age. The second aim was to examine the integrative or conflictual potential of these types within the context of the modern, multi-religious society, with significant secular segments among the Slovenian population. Despite differences in their specific contents, most viewpoints reflect integrative tendencies. However, the potential for societal conflict can be located within small groups associated with large, traditional religious communities. This article addresses the general orientation of research on the role of religious leaders in domestic politics, which followed the influence of their political perspectives on the electorate and illustrated the links between denominational alignment and political orientation.