We the (Catholic) People: Is Populism Hijacking Christianity? : An Eastern European Perspective

The rise of the populist movements in Eastern Europe is heavily supported by the religious arguments that cause division between "us" and "them", between cultures and religious traditions. During the struggles for the formation of nation-states in the 1990s and during the renaiss...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Grozdanov, Zoran 1977- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: SCM Press 2021
In: Concilium
Year: 2021, Issue: 1, Pages: 84-89
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Europe / Catholic church / Populism
IxTheo Classification:CG Christianity and Politics
CH Christianity and Society
KBK Europe (East)
KDB Roman Catholic Church
Further subjects:B Eastern Europe
B Populism
B Christianity
Description
Summary:The rise of the populist movements in Eastern Europe is heavily supported by the religious arguments that cause division between "us" and "them", between cultures and religious traditions. During the struggles for the formation of nation-states in the 1990s and during the renaissance of national movements in the 1970s and 1980s, encyclicals of John Paul II strongly reverberated in Eastern Catholic countries that share a Catholic identity. In this article, we are trying to elaborate on the fact that populist movements, particulary in the Croatian context, use the vocabulary and concepts that gained their theological support in the writings of prominent religious leaders and thinkers. Strong emphasis on patria, ethnic and cultural belonging, that was supported by key Christian doctrines such as the Incarnation, gave religious fuel to patriotism and nationalism in the 1990s and continues to influence present populist movements.
ISSN:0010-5236
Contains:Enthalten in: Concilium