Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.79.3.1
Public Prayer and the New Political Misuse of Religion within Western Christianity in Central Europe
Kristijan Krkač
orcid.org/0000-0001-6956-8102
; Zagreb School of Economics and Management, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The following text conducts a conceptual analysis of new misuses of religion for political purposes within Western Christianity in Central Europe. The primary objective is to present a conceptual understanding and analysis of this phenomenon, considering both quantitative and qualitative research already conducted. The analysis reveals a paradox wherein the misuse is deemed both unsuccessful and successful. The paradox unfolds as unsuccessful predominantly among the majority of Christians in Europe, especially when compared to its successful counterparts in Orthodox Christianity (e.g., in Russia) and Islam (in Europe). Notably, the success of misuse is more pronounced among Central and Eastern European Christians than among Western European Christians. Numerous exceptions contribute to this paradox, including a positive correlation between Christians and far–right parties, and instances of public prayer at state borders, town squares, and near abortion clinics. This pattern is particularly pronounced in regions with a higher prevalence of Roman Catholics than Protestants. The author presents a basic explication of why these misuses appear or are attempted, and are only minimally or mildly successful, namely, because of the strong posed by democracy, free market, and rule of law.
Keywords
misuse of religion; Western Christianity; Roman Catholics; Protestants; far–right parties; praying in public
Hrčak ID:
318394
URI
Publication date:
2.7.2024.
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