The transformation of supreme values: Evidence from Poland on salvation through civic engagement

Jan Fałkowski,Przemysław Kurek

doi:10.1007/s11127-019-00743-y

Abstract

Peter Bernholz has described how ideologies and religions with supreme values have used violence to accomplish their goals. We describe the transformation of supreme values through civic engagement and pro-social behavior (dedication to common good, charity, participation in social life) that rejects as unacceptable all forms of violence. Our focus is on Catholicism after the Second Vatican Council, which emphasized the lay faithful’s role in the Church’s mission of salvation in the world and affirmed categorically that the duty of layperson is to serve other people and society. Using data on Poland, we find that the lay faithful try to fulfil those duties. Religious observance measured by participation in Holy Communion and church attendance correlates positively with civic engagement measured by the number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Highlights

Bernholz (1993, 1995, 2004, 2006, 2017) has shown that ideologies based on “supreme values” use violence and terrorism to accomplish their goals
We propose that one way in which religious movements can try to peacefully promote goals identified by their supreme values is to interpret them in a way that imposes on believers pro-social behavior as a desirable action and rejects as unacceptable all forms of violence
Using data on Poland, we find that laypersons strive to fulfil that instruction: in municipalities that display stronger attachment to the Church, we observe higher levels of civic engagement as measured by the number of non-governmental organizations NGOs

Summary

Introduction

Bernholz (1993, 1995, 2004, 2006, 2017) has shown that ideologies based on “supreme values” use violence and terrorism to accomplish their goals. We propose that one way in which religious movements can try to peacefully promote goals identified by their supreme values is to interpret them in a way that imposes on believers pro-social behavior (dedication to common good, charity, participation in social life) as a desirable action and rejects as unacceptable all forms of violence Achieving such a result requires abandoning the rule that the end justifies the means. Given our focus, the Council explicitly affirmed that seeking the Kingdom of God requires that the lay faithful live the Christian life always in service to individuals and society, rejecting all that denies and compromises peace.1 Such interpretation of the lay faithful’s obligations identifies pro-social behavior as desirable action and invites all Christians to achieve the Church’s supreme objective through civic engagement. Using data on Poland, we find that laypersons strive to fulfil that instruction: in municipalities that display stronger attachment to the Church (as measured by participation in Holy Communion and church attendance), we observe higher levels of civic engagement as measured by the number of non-governmental organizations NGOs

Religio vinculum societatis

Empirical strategy and data

Results

Instrumental variables approach

Conclusions