Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 71 No. 2-3, 2001.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
The Theological View on the Values on Croatian Society
Špiro Marasović
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska
Sažetak
In this paper the author is primarily trying to define the theological approach to social values, in other words he defines the status quaestionis of the artical itself. In the first part, therefore, he points out the difference between the sociological and theological approach to social values, as well as indicating the difference between universal human and Christian values. Universally human values are also Christian, if their antropological supposition and comon denominator is in »the image of God«, while Christian values take a baptized person, or a »new men«, as their antropological starting point. For this »new men«, the logic of the Cross is normative in its value judgements.
In the second part of the paper, the author reads theological messages from the rank-scale of values in Croatian society. Namely, based on numerous recent research done in Croatian society, such as »Faith and Morality in Croatia« (1997); »EVS-1999«; »Aufbrach«, etc. - which directly or indirectly give insight into the rank-scale of values, we came to their fairly reliable rank-scale. Already, with more theological reading of these values, as well as of the place which the faith takes on this scale, we see that Croatia is going through a process of rapid secularization in which even values are being understood and accepted in a secular way. Within this structure, faith is more often searched for in the function of confessionalism and ritualism.
Approaching, finally, in the 3rd section, the existing values of the logic of the Cross as a sort of litmus-paper of the theological judgement, meaning from soteriological, eshatological and ecclesiestical starting point, the author states that approximately onethird of the Croatian population still strives for Christian values, i.e. for such choice that soteriological (sinfulness. redemption, mercy, etc.), eshatological (being streched between the present eshatology and »last things«) and ecclesiological (the mystery of the church in which the »Unity of the Spirit« reigns) characteristics play an important part in.
Still, even with such percentage, which is a weak consolation for a country praising itself of being »antemurale christianitatis«, the development trend implies even worse situation in the future. Namely, when comparing the results obtained from several categories such as: sex, age, educational qualification, place of birth and residence, etc. we can see that the more younger and educated the generations are, the more they distance themselves from Christianity. Individualism, pluralism, selectiveness, syncretism, strong interest for the present moment, etc. - all characteristic of the postmodern mentality in general - erode considerably into not only the historically deserved Christian interest of the Croatian society, but into its religious capital as well.
Ključne riječi
values; belief; cross; soteriology; eshatology; ecclesiology; postmodern
Hrčak ID:
29101
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.5.2002.
Posjeta: 1.505 *