Role Of Religion In Society Research Articles

Религиозный смысл в антропологическом измерении: историческая ретроспектива и современное состояние. Часть 2

As the title implies, the second part of the research is presented in this article. It continues the logic of the previ-ous article and, together with it, addresses the subject, the essence of which is the correlation of the religious worldview and the understanding of the essence of man at different stages of historical development. The dy-namics of interdependence of religious and non-religious bases of the meaning formation process is recorded. The influence of social development factors on the role of religion in society and on the transformation of inter-pretations of fundamental human qualities is revealed. The hypothesis is justified, according to which the mu-tual agreement of religious meaning and ideas about the essence of man affects the developing system of social ties both in the past and in the present. While the first part of the study emphasizes the historical retro-spective of the interaction of semantic sources sources, the results of the second part of the study reflect their current state. It is justified that the relativity of transcendental sources of meaning, which have become wide-spread today, turns out to be a prerequisite for the rebirth of secular humanism into transhumanism, within the framework of which a negative synthesis of scientific rationalism and a mystical-religious worldview is carried out. As an ideological mainstream, the intention for arbitrary transformation of man by scientific and technolog-ical means is asserted, which is justified by appealing to the tenets and prophecies of traditional religions. It is precisely on this semantic basis that the formation of new conditions of social life takes place, which can be designated as quasi-civilization. Its peculiarity is the active use of elements of the former cultural heritage, but in a transformed and arbitrarily combined form. In the context of the transhumanist interpretation, in its mystical and secular variations, the human being is seen as part of the religious and secular culture of past epochs and from this point of view is treated as an obsolete semantic construct open to unlimited transformations in ac-cordance with an arbitrarily constructed image of the future.

The role of religion in conflict and peace-making

ABSTRACT This article seeks to describe the role of religion in society both in terms of cohesion, where it can provide a spiritual and moral ‘glue’ for a particular society and in terms of its ‘prophetic’ aspect, where it can challenge the state or society and the direction it, or some elements in it, may be taking. It will then consider how religion can go wrong and fuel conflict between ethnic groups within nations or between nations. Examples will be given from the Middle Ages, early modern Europe and contemporary nationalisms in Asia and Europe. Religion can also, the article argues, be a powerful force for making and maintaining peace between groups and nations. This can arise directly from religious conviction or it can be the result of patient dialogue between representatives of religious traditions about how each tradition encourages, or even requires, them to work for peace whether locally, nationally or internationally. Particular attention will be given to the ‘Abrahamic’ faiths because of their global reach and because they are a factor in conflict, as well as in peace-making, in so many parts of the world. There will also be discussion of the accountability of religious traditions in the context of inter-religious dialogue, in the media and in the public square, regarding their role in promoting fundamental freedoms, good stewardship of the natural world, bringing conflict to an end and promoting peace and collaboration among diverse ethnic, religious and socio-economic groups.

Is Religion More than a Hobby? Social Media Debates on Germany’s Religious-Political Order during COVID


 This study uses social media comments on news reports about the exemption of religious communities in Germany from COVID-19 restrictions as empirical data for researching a contemporary, everyday understanding of religion as suggested by Michael Bergunder (2014). To analyse the discourse on religion, a qualitative content analysis is applied, which pre-structures the corpus. This allows for diverse attitudes towards policies on religion, as well as their correlations to understandings of religion to be identified. The results show that the contested role of religion in society and its relationship to the state is linked to the struggle over the filling of the concept of religion. Finally, a critical assessment following Bergunder’s approach is applied, emphasizing the need to research the current understanding of religion as a contested concept.

The Governance of Religious Diversity

Routledge Handbook on the Governance of Religious Diversity. Edited by Anna Triandafyllidou and Tina Magazzini, London and New York: Routledge, 2021, xix+327pp, $ 52.95, ISBN: 978-0-367-53826-2
 The Routledge Handbook on the Governance of Religious Diversity examines state-religion relations in more than 20 countries across the world. It particularly looks at how these states manage religious diversity. This book discusses that, in ancient times, empires and kingdoms, which were the embodiment of the states, used religion as a tool to control people. In modern times, many countries have become more secularized, hence the role of religion as a tool of control has diminished. States increasingly neglect the role of religion and religious people in society. This book argues that states with secularist ideology still need to pay attention to the role of religion in society.

Religious Orientations of Modern Kazakhstani Youth

The article examines the religious orientations of Kazakhstani youth in the context of modern life. Modern life is characterized by the growing role of religion in society and the strengthening of its influence on the consciousness, worldview, system of life values and religious orientations of young people. On the one hand, young people strive for self-determination and self-realization, and on the other hand, they face a situation of social uncertainty, forcing them to turn to religion. In this connection, the question arises, what are the true motives for turning young people to religion and how does it affect their behavior and life? The purpose of our work is to study the religious orientations of modern Kazakhstani youth. We conducted a survey “Religious orientations” according to the method of I.M. Bogdanovskaya among young people aged 16 to 28 years old living in the Karaganda region, which revealed that the main motive for turning young people to religion is “the search for an ideal and spiritual emptiness”. The analysis of the obtained results showed that the external religious orientation prevails over the internal religious orientation among modern Kazakhstani youth, that they treat religion not as a value, but as a means used in problem situations.

FAITH AS A CATALYST FOR PEACE: THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Religion, culture, and heritage are major factors that contribute to the formation of identity. Religion, in particular, plays a crucial role in the causes, dynamics, and resolution of conflicts, making it a powerful tool for both generating and preventing conflicts. While some view religion as a source of conflict, it cannot be denied that religion can also play a significant role in conflict resolution and peace building. This paper delves into the multifaceted role of religion in society, which can act as both a source of conflict and violence, but also as a means for conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The interplay between religion and identity formation is explored in relation to its impact on conflict, including causes, dynamics, and potential resolutions. With a focus on the Islamic perspective, the paper outlines the guidelines and methodologies provided by religion to prevent conflicts and promote peace. Additionally, the role of religious leaders in facilitating peacebuilding efforts is examined. Ultimately, the paper underscores the need to recognize and harness the positive potential of religion in the pursuit of sustainable peace.

The Role of Religion in Transforming Ghanaian Society: A Christian Perspective

Globally, while some scholars assert that religion is anachronistic and inhibits the human rights of people and frustrates the social progress of society, others are of the opinion that religion can be a catalyst for the transformation and development of individuals and groups. In Ghana, the role of religion in society is very much ambivalent. On the one hand, religion is a force for change and transformation in the lives of individuals and society. On the other hand, religion has also been the basis of intractable violence, conflict and turbulent divisions within families and among groups. This article, which is based on archival materials, seeks to investigate the role of religion in Ghanaian society and to determine what extent it can be a force for change and transformation. The article argues that, religion has the potential to bring about change and transformation in society, but this can only happen when the different creedal persuasions, especially Christians bring their faith to bear on their actions in the practice of everyday life. The article concludes that, the power of religion to occasion change and transformation in the different sectors of society depends on how Christians surmount the challenges of everyday life and synergize faith and works in the private and public spheres of life. Keywords: Religion, Christians, Change, Transformation, Ghana

The decoupling of government sentiment and the macroeconomy in a highly polarised political setting

ABSTRACT This article argues that causality between economic conditions and political sentiment can be moderated by the presence of strong political polarisation based on sociocultural issues. We look at the interdependencies between economic and political sentiment in Croatia, a country characterised by strong political divisions over interpretations of history, the role of religion in society, and conflicts of traditional vs. modernist values. Our results reveal that economic variables and government support move more or less independently. Thus, we conclude that performance evaluation in general, and economic voting in particular, play a very small role in Croatian politics.

ЦЕРКОВЬ И ШКОЛА В РОССИЙСКОЙ ИМПЕРИИ ВТОРОЙ ПОЛОВИНЫ XIX – НАЧАЛА ХХ ВЕКА

The purpose of the article is to analyze the Church and the School in the Russian Empire of the second half of the 19th century. The study of this subject is of great importance in understanding the history of Russia and the role of the Church in society. Modern science given quite close attention to the problems of interaction between religion and the state in the process of historical development of Russia. Studying the interaction of Church and the School in Russia at that time can help to better understand the role of religion in society and its impact on education. The conclusions made by the authors help to clarify the system of relations be-tween Church and state in Russia at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century. The problems raised and the ways to solve them can be useful for modern educational and religious institutions facing issues of interaction between religion and education. As a result, the author concludes that the study of this subject can help to better understand the principles and values that were important for Russian society in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.

Regulating the Role of Religion in Society in an Era of Change and Secularist Self-doubt: Why European Courts Have Been Right to Adopt a Hands-Off Approach

Abstract Why have the European Court of Human Rights and Court of Justice of the European Union adopted such a hands-off approach in relation to the steady stream of national measures that have intensified limits on religious expression in, and influence over, the public realm? This article argues that the intensifying of these limits can be seen, in part, as reflective of a justified loss of confidence in previously dominant, deterministic narratives that saw secularization of society as inevitable. In response, many states are attempting to harness the power of the law to push a secularization process that they previously regarded as inevitable. The article suggests that, while these laws are sometimes troubling, given the scale, pace and unprecedented nature of the religious change Europe is undergoing, how coexistence and freedom of and from religion can best be preserved cannot but be an open question. It concludes that in these circumstances, judges in pan-European courts have been correct to avoid attempting to identify ideal solutions and to impose them across the board.

South and Southeast Asia: deep diversity under strain

ABSTRACT South and Southeast Asia is characterised by an historic and deep religious diversity and countries in the region have also been shaped by colonialism. Focusing on the cases of India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, this contribution explores the governance of religious diversity and conceptions of secularism influenced by – but quite distinct from – those found in the West. It assesses how, upon independence from colonial rule, a core concern in all three was a settlement that reflected the history and presence of deep religious diversity. The contribution then explores how these settlements have since come under strain as majorities in each country have more aggressively asserted their dominance. Since independence, settlements that aimed to secure rights for the multiple religious groups in each country have been tested. A trend in all three countries is a rise in forms of more exclusive majoritarian nationalisms tied to the dominant religion. This trend presents serious implications for minority faiths as well as for ideas of freedom of religion and the place and role of religion in society and politics. The contribution suggests that we might be witnessing an erosion of the post-independence settlements such that the mode of governance itself is shifting.

The Puzzle of Italian Religious Freedoms: Local Experiments and Complex Interactions

“Religious freedom” has many different meanings, and its social perceptions vary depending on different factors, including different understandings of the role of religion in society. In this paper, we contribute to the analysis of the intersections between the institutional definitions and the social perceptions by comparatively analyzing the practices and discourses on religious freedom in the fields of healthcare and school canteens through regional and municipal case studies in Italy. Results allow exploring the role of individual actors and local and sectoral cultures in enforcing specific practices in the broad area of “religious freedom”.

Similar yet not the Same: Right-Wing Populist Parties' Stances on Religion in Germany and the Netherlands

AbstractApplying a qualitative framing analysis, this paper examines narratives of the right-wing populist parties Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Party for Freedom (PVV) in the Netherlands on religion. The paper argues that references of these populist parties to religion can be interpreted against the background of specific national context factors such as the respective history of nation building, the traditional role of religion in society and secularization processes. A rigorous examination of parliamentary documents published between 2017 and 2019 shows that whereas the PVV clearly defines Christianity in civilizational and not religious terms, the AfD takes a less clear-cut stance toward the religion framing it both as culture and faith. We contend that this difference can be explained by the lower degree of secularization and the greater role of Christianity as a collective identity marker in post-war Germany.

Review: Baha’i Faith: The Basics, by Christopher Buck

The activities, focus, and concepts in the Baha’i world are changing so rapidly at present, especially in the area of developing new approaches to community building, that any published introductory book soon becomes out-of-date. So it is good to see another introductory book on the Baha’i Faith published, in particular since it surveys recent developments well. For anyone wishing to find out about the Baha’i Faith and the current activities of the Baha’i community, this book can be recommended. Christopher Buck presents an insider view of the Baha’i Faith, but one that is descriptive rather than prescriptive. It is perhaps just as well that he is an insider since an outsider might have difficulty keeping up with, and understanding, the changes that are occurring in the Baha’i community, especially since these changes are occurring at varying rates in different communities.After an introduction, Buck focuses on Baha’i theological and ethical teachings, which he puts under the general rubric of “Spiritual Teachings.” In the third chapter he moves on to the social teachings. Chapter 4 deals with the history of the Baha’i Faith, in which the author also outlines an important topic in the Baha’i teachings—the Covenant, which authorizes the succession of leadership in the Baha’i Faith. The next chapter looks at Baha’i scripture and authoritative texts. Buck discusses some of the key texts and gives examples of the different types of works written by the founders and central figures of the Baha’i Faith, as well as texts from the present leadership, the Universal House of Justice and its ancillary institutions. Chapter 6 looks at the organizational structure of the global Baha’i community, examining its elected and appointed institutions at the global, national, regional, and local levels.The next chapters address Baha’i community life, social action, and how contemporary events are affecting discussions within the Baha’i Faith. Much of Baha’i community life at present revolves around bringing the Baha’i social teachings to the level of social action in community development activities. Parallel to this activity is the endeavor by Baha’is to enter into the relevant discourses—such as the equality of women and men, human rights, community building, the role of religion in society—that are going on in the wider community and to bring to bear on these their insights based on the Baha’i teachings and community experiences. The book concludes by surveying the vision of the Baha’i Faith for the world of the future. What sort of world are Baha’is trying to create?Buck presents all of this information in a clear and well-structured manner. He accompanies his own words with appropriate extracts from authoritative Baha’i texts to illustrate the points that he is making. He also draws on examples of the activities of the Baha’i community from different locations across the world.There are several minor points of criticism I would like to make, however. The history chapter focuses almost exclusively on the central leadership of the Baha’i community in each era. I found very little information about what was happening in the wider Baha’i community. A reader who knew little about the Baha’i Faith would learn nothing from the chapter about the growth and expansion of the Baha’i community during its history. A paragraph describing the development of the Baha’i community in each historical period examined would have provided a much broader understanding of the history of the Baha’i Faith. Similarly, although some very basic global statistics about the Baha’i community are given at the beginning, and anecdotal glimpses of various Baha’i communities around the world are provided throughout, a reader who is relying on this book alone for information would come away with no clear idea about the distribution or pattern of growth of Baha’i communities around the world.In summary, there are a good many introductory books on the market but this one can be recommended for two reasons. First, it is well-written and as reasonably comprehensive as such brief introductory books can hope to be. Second, it is up-to-date covering many of the recent changes in the Baha’i community that older similar books do not.

The Role of Religion in Society According to Malik Bennabi

The purpose of this article is to discuss Malik Bennabi's thoughts on the role of religion in society. The discussion was carried out by using the content analysis method for some of Bennabi's works as primary sources and several other relevant references to describe his thoughts. After describing Bennabi's intellectual journey briefly, This paper begins the discussion with his thoughts on the origin of society and its definitions and the basic elements that make up it, namely the Human Realm, The Realm of Thought, and the Realm of Matter. The next discussion is about religion which is a source of moral value for society and encourages society to carry out its historical movements. Based on this, Bennabi concluded that religion is a fundamental factor in the development of society towards civilization and vice versa. Besides, he also believes that every civilization achieved by society has its roots in religious teachings.

The Quest For Equal Citizenship: Middle Eastern Christian Narratives of Migration and Inclusion in the United Kingdom

This article explores how migrants experience the process of becoming (and being) citizens by taking the understudied case of Middle Eastern Christians of Iraqi and Egyptian heritage residing in the United Kingdom. It is argued that exclusion in the Middle East reinforces a sense of inclusion in the UK particularly due to the prevalence of the rule of law in the UK. However, by exploring a “clash of values” on the role of religion in society and sexual liberalization issues, it is suggested that Middle Eastern Christians’ support for equality and tolerance is not absolute, especially when they perceive societal norms as conflicting with religious teachings. Finally, the paper shows how the notion of “protective patriotism” is used by some Middle Eastern Christians to express their belonging to their new state by defending perceived societal values.

The impact of religiousness on attitudes towards religious others

Based on data from the Austrian Social Survey 2018, this article analyzes to what extent attitudes towards religious others are influenced by one’s relationship with religion. Five aspects of religiosity and attitudes to religion are taken into account: church-related religiosity (religious belief and practice), spirituality (engagement with alternative spiritual methods), religious fundamentalism, positive or negative perceptions of the role of religion in society, and religious denomination. The key findings are: engagement with spiritual methods and viewing religion as beneficial for society correlate with positive ratings of religious others. People with fundamentalist religious convictions are less open to religious others. Members of religious minorities in Austria (Protestants, Orthodox Christians and Muslims) have more positive attitudes to religious others than members of the dominant Catholic Church. How members of different world religions are rated depends on whether the religion in question is perceived as undogmatic and peaceful or as fundamentalist and intolerant in the public discourse.

Religious Publishing: An Analysis of Marketing Measures by German Religious Publishers

The German religious book market is a small market segment that is dominated by small publishers. Because the number of companies and overall turnover in the market segment show a negative trend, the German religious book market can be described as a mature saturated market. Also, the classic and professional customer groups are decreasing or at least changing due to changes in the role of religion in society. However, the population still has an interest in religious topics, which is why it is important for religious publishers to target them with specific marketing measures. Content analysis of the bi-annual publishing program brochures reveals which titles religious publishers attribute the greatest sales potential to and which product, price and communication measures are used to support their top titles. The results of the analysis show that German religious publishers choose non-fiction books, but also practical guidebooks and gift books as top titles, which take up current topics and trends from church and society. Books with authentic content by authentic authors are favored. The analysis also indicates (somewhat unsurprisingly) that marketing decisions that are made depend on the financial capabilities of religious publishers. Measures related to the price are therefore hardly offered, and cost-intensive communication measures are only taken at a low level.

SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION: EVOLUTION AND SHORT STORIES OF ITS SUBJECT

The sociology of religion is a complex social phenomenon. Religion has various social manifestations, it all depends on what social processes it interacts with. The sociology of religion studies the place and role of religion in society, its development of religion and the attitude of various social and national communities to religion, the functions of religion, types of religions, internal structure, and religious organizations. He does not undertake to answer the question about the truth or falsity of certain provisions of a creed or religious dogmas.

THEOLOGY AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE: MAPPING THE FIELD

This article asks what happens when theology ‘goes public’: what some of the key issues are in relation to the changing profile and role of religion in society – global, local and national – and ho...