(Un)-blocking the sacred: new perspectives on the religious revival in South East Europe

Emil Hilton Saggau

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Abstract

Many studies of contemporary religion in South Eastern Europe
link resurgent nationalism to the revival of religion, arguing that nationalism
is grounded in religion and has taken over many former religious symbols,
beliefs and rituals. This argument is a key feature of social science studies
of religion in the region. In cases from the former Yugoslavia, focus on this
type of connection between religion and nationalism has prevented a more
nuanced description of the religious transformation of communities after the
fall of communism. This article will discuss the pitfalls of such a simplification
and how it is possible to nuance the study of religion in the South Eastern
European context. This will be done through a critical review of studies of
religion in Montenegro and an examination of the local badnjak Christmas
ritual. This article aims to craft a revised analytical strategy the nuances the
connection between religion and nationalism but also acknowledges religion
as its own system.
Original languageEnglish
JournalReligion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe
Volume11
Pages (from-to)39-55
Number of pages15
ISSN1553-9962
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2018
EventISORECEA conference: Religious Diversification Worldwide and in Central and Eastern Europe - Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
Duration: 24 Apr 201427 Apr 2014
Conference number: 11

Conference

ConferenceISORECEA conference
Number11
LocationVytautas Magnus University
Country/TerritoryLithuania
CityKaunas
Period24/04/201427/04/2014

Keywords

  • Faculty of Theology
  • Religion
  • nationalism
  • South Eastern Europe
  • Montenegro
  • Serbia
  • Eastern Orthodoxy

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