Bratrství a Život. Ostravská spiritistická scéna, její sociální zázemí a (nad)regionální kontakty (1918–1951)
Brotherhood and Life: The Spiritist Scene in Ostrava, Its Social Backgroundand (Inter)Regional Contacts (1918–1951)

Summary/Abstract: Religious practice in the Czechoslovak Republic was characterised by increasing heterogeneity, reflecting the national, social, political, confessional and world view orientation of the Czechoslovak people. In the decade which followed 1918, the issues of religion and confession were frequently raised in public discourse. The topics discussed also included the flourishing Czech sectarian scene, including spiritism and the spiritist movement, an affinity to which was shown by thousands of organised followers, sympathisers or people who were simply curious. This paper deals with the spiritist movement during its inter war heyday in the industrial working class environment in Ostrava and its conurbation, focusing on the social background of its worshipers and the ideological struggle between the followers of the agnostic and Christian branch of spiritism. The main part of this paper presents the two most important spiritist fellowships in Ostrava and compares their ideological direction, gender structure, regional scope and social impact.

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