Die Diskussion um das Abtreibungsrecht als Beispiel für den Wandel der politischen Prioritäten im geeinten Deutschland

Author(s): Angela Merkel / Language(s): German Issue: 03/1992

1. Zu den herausragenden Hinterlassenschaften, die heute politisch zu bewältigen sind, gehört eine Reform des Abtreibungsrechts im geeinten Deutschland. Die Bestimmungen, die in den 70erJahren in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und in der DDR in Kraft traten, gingen von unterschiedlichen Standpunkten aus. Während die Regelung in der DDR (Fristenregelung) bewußt als >;Vollendung« der Emanzipation der Frau gefeiert und als ein Instrument der Familienplanung verstanden wurde, verwarf das undesverfassungsgericht die zunächst vom Bundestag verabschiedete Fristenregelung als mit dem Grundgesetz nicht vereinbar, da sie »der verfassungsrechtlichen Verpflichtung, das werdende :Leben zu schützen, nicht in dem gebotenen Umfang gerecht geworden« sei. Daraufhin wurde vom Bundestag ein Gesetz verabschiedet, das bei grundsätzlicher Mißbilligung des Schwangerschaftsabbruchs Straffreiheit bei bestimmten Griinden vorsah (Indikationsregelung).

Around the Bloc: Poles Protest Against Abortion Ban

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English Issue: 04/05/2016

Government backs Church proposal to tighten restrictions on terminating pregnancy, already among the strictest in Europe.

Around the Bloc: Serbian Church Leader Threatens ‘Force’ if Kosovo Joins UN Body

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English Issue: 11/10/2015

Belgrade fears Pristina would fail to protect Orthodox religious sites if admitted to UNESCO.

POGLĄDY KS. EUGENIUSZA OKONIA PREZENTOWANE W SEJMIE USTAWODAWCZYM (1919–1922)

Author(s): HENRYK CIMEK / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 07/2010

KOŚCIÓŁ KATOLICKI JAKO SIŁA POLITYCZNA W OKRESIE TRANSFORMACJI USTROJOWEJ 1989–1997 (ROZWAŻANIA NA PRZYKŁADZIE WOJEWÓDZTWA LUBELSKIEGO)

Author(s): Artur Łuszczyński / Language(s): Polish Issue: 04/2007

As the title suggests, this paper looks into a problem of participation of the Catholic Church in political life after 1989. The author describes how the Catholic Church and its hierarchy have been adapting to the changing situation. To understand the position of the Church fully, at first this paper briefly reviews the complex socio-political situation in Poland. Before the democratic changes started in Poland in 1989, the Catholic Church had been a very important element of the country’s dualistic social structure, but the democratic revolutions in Eastern Europe caught the Church by surprise. The article deals with issues such as the Church’s involvement in elections, the place of Christian values and the Catholic Church as an institution in the legal order, public debates about abortion and birth control, reintroduction of religious instruction in public schools etc.

The dwarf and the giant: Montenegrin-Russian relations and Montenegro’s ‘cult of Russia’, c. 1700-2015

Author(s): Zuzana Poláčková,Pieter Duin, van / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

This article tries to make an analysis of a rather special political and historical phenomenon: the, perhaps, unique relationship between Montenegro and Russia as it evolved during a period of three centuries. This connection can be described as one between a dwarf and a giant, as an asymmetrical relationship with an ideological as well as a pragmatic dimension that was attractive for both parties. The origin of direct Montenegrin-Russian relations can be found in the early years of the eighteenth century, the era of Peter the Great and of a new stage in Montenegrin political history and state consolidation. This ‘founding period’ has to be paid particular attention to, in order to understand the relationship that followed. In the special political and cultural conditions of an increasingly expansionist Montenegro, the ‘cult of Russia’ emerged as an ideological, but also functional, ritual to reinforce Montenegro’s efforts to survive and to become a more important factor in the western Balkans region. But the tiny principality was dependent on the vagaries of international politics and Russian policy. The dwarf aspired to be a little Russia and to emulate the giant. A clear definition of friend and foe and a policy of territorial expansion were seen as part of this. On the level of national-cultural identity this led to a politicisation of the Orthodox faith. In the ideological sphere it also meant the building of a mythical past to legitimise an expansionist ethos of often-irresponsible dimensions.

DIE ORTHODOXE KIRCHE RUMÄNIENS, DER „ZÖLLNER“ ZWISCHEN POLITISCHEN ELITEN UND BÜRGERN.

Author(s): Raul Rognean / Language(s): German Issue: 2/2016

In this paper, the author makes a strong case against the de-separation of state and Orthodox Church in Romania, especially in the political discourse. The religious discourse has been used by politicians to attack non-orthodox political enemies, while the church increased its influence in key political institutions, demanding more and more privileges, in the name of the symphony between church and state and of the autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This paper deconstructs the concept of symphony and autocephaly and argues that their use in the political discourse goes far beyond their original meaning. The church uses these and similar concepts to engage a modern communicative interaction with the political and the public sphere using classical lobby but also new social media, besieging the public discourse, with the benefit of a large acceptance of theologically and democratically problematic ideas.

Pareizticīgā Baznīca Sociālistiskā valstī: “Sovjetizācija ” un tās “Eksports ” pēc Otrā pasaules kara

Author(s): Mária Beláková / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 2/2015

This paper deals with the transformation of the Orthodox Church during the Soviet regime and under the pressure of the Communist ideology. In the concept of Sovietization, the author includes not only the export of the Socialist model of governance to the countries influenced by the Soviet Union after World War II, but also a set of interrelated elements, including the spread of Socialist and revolutionary ideas and methods in the Church and religious communities. This policy required from the Church leadership and ecclesial structures to accept process of adaptation to the new Soviet reality and the deliberate policy of the government. It was aimed at finding the instruments of control of the Church and the possibility of using this institution in Soviet ideological interests – both domestic and international; and adaptation by Orthodox believers of the values and practices of the Soviet Socialist state and secular society as a whole. The study highlights the chronological stages of the Sovietization and notes that the process of Sovietization significantly affected the institutional, human and social side of public life of the Church.

Ruská pravoslavná církev a její vztahy se státem v době patriarchátu patriarchy Alexije II

Author(s): Vladimír Naxera,Maria Avanesova / Language(s): Czech Issue: 3/2016

After the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian Orthodox Church and its social standing have gone through a significant transformation. This institution, which was formerly subject to the communist regime, quickly became a strong social force and to a large degree a political power under the leadership of Patriarch Alexy II. Over the course of his office, the relationship between the Church and the Russian state apparatus went through pronounced changes. The main goal of this paper was to analyze the transformation from the initial period, in which the state and Church operated as two relatively independent actors, to the period in which the state and the Church begin to work in close cooperation. These two institutions have become closely linked actors in a bond that is favorable to both parties. This state of affairs, historically labeled a “throne and altar alliance”, is nothing new to Russia. This paper was written with the help of a wide range of secondary and (mostly) primary sources – official Church documents, media appearances, and so on. This paper also introduces a number of topics: mutual relations of the state and Church after 1991; the transformation of the mutual relationship over the course of the 1990s and after President Putin’s election in 2000; the Church’s link to the armed forces and its role in the Chechen conflicts; and the influence of the Church on building the new identity of post-Soviet Russia. The authors of this paper have endeavored to prove that without considering the political and social role of the Church, the analysis of political processes in post-Soviet Russia would be wholly incomplete.

Stanowiska polskich partii politycznych wobec religii i Kościoła. Propozycja typologii

Author(s): Krzysztof Kowalczyk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 15/2015

This article aims to analyze the positions of Polish political parties and parliamentary groups in the years 1991—2011 to religion and the Catholic Church. First they analyzed the views of various political parties, referring to the program assumptions. In the article, the following groups of political parties: the social democratic, liberal, Christian Democrat, conservative, folk, independence, national and lots of custom. This was followed by a typology of parliamentary parties and groups according to the criterion of relations to religion and the Church.

NASILJE I SJEĆANJE

Author(s): Hikmet Karčić / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 65/2016

Modern history of Muslims in Balkans including the history of Bosniaks is marked by violence: demographic changes, crimes and genocide. One of the key features of this violence is erasing the memories of any kind of trace. The aim of the article is to raise the question of remembrance that is commemoration of crimes. Second part of the article will focus upon the forms of erasing or falsifying history in the example of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

INSTITUCIONALIZACIJA ISLAMA IZ PERSPEKTIVE EVROPSKIH STANDARDA O AUTONOMIJI VJERSKIH ZAJEDNICA

Author(s): Nedim Begović / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 63/2015

Available researches carried out by local authors concerning the issue of institutionalization of Islam in countries of European Union have, so far, offered elaborations of the background of the process, its development in individual countries and challenges itfaced. The issue of whether it is and to what extent is the experience of the institutionalized organization of Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina applicable in countries of European Union. The subject of this article is revision of the process of institutionalization of Islam in countries of Western Europe in the light of present jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. Using the method of content analysis, the historical and the comparative method, direct involvement of state governments in organization and structure of Islamic institutions as related to the principles of religious autonomy are individually analyzed. We also analyzed the idea of establishing criteria for unanimous presentation of Islam on national level as a condition for receiving certain privileges offered by government with reference to Strasbourg jurisprudence according to which state should be neutral organizer of expression of different religions and convictions in a society.

DISCIPLINSKA ODGOVORNOST IMAMA I DISCIPLINSKI POSTUPAK

Author(s): Adis Bekrić / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 63/2015

The article presents some facts about disciplinary liability of imams as religious officers whose status is defined by the Constitution of the Islamic Community and, more precisely, by the Regulations about imams. Rights and official duties of imams are precisely described by the Regulations, thus every imam has a duty to carry out his daily responsibilities in accordance with relevant regulations. Thus, disciplinary liability of imams implies the responsibility for violation of the official duties, by which imam is liable to a disciplinary procedure in a case of violation of the same. The article presents the disciplinary procedure and the position of imam within this procedure. Disciplinary procedure is taken when it is confirmed, or when there is a reasonable evidence that imam has committed a violation of the official duty. The basic principles of disciplinary procedure are also presented and analyzed.

Tolstoj tra anarchismo e nonviolenza

Author(s): Antonio Vigilante / Language(s): Italian Issue: 13/2016

The study examines the philosophical, religious and political thought of Lev Tolstoy. Because of an existential crisis which brings him almost to suicide, the great Russian writer “converts” himself to a new conception of life, based on unconditional love. On the basis of this vision, which is inspired by Gospel, Tolstoy fights against social injustice and opposes the Orthodox Church, which he accuses to justify the domination of the rich over the poor. According to Tolstoy a State is an institutionalization of social and economic oppression, and therefore must be fought; (but) not, however, with violence, but with the method of nonresistance taught by Gospel. This belief will deeply influence Gandhi, with whom the Russian writer will be in touch for some time. The opposition to the State approaches Tolstoy to anarchists, from which he differs for both the rejection of violence and (for) his religious belief. The author shows that in fact Tolstoy can’t be considered Christian, because he rejects the idea of the divinity of Christ and is skeptical about the very existence of God. All his religious beliefs are, ultimately, rational. His political and ethical proposal is about the overcoming of the ego, considered to be the origin of every kind of violence and of the social oppression of the capitalist system.

Islam i Europa

Author(s): Sead Alić / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 20/2015

Ono što se ne osvijesti, o čemu se ne govori, od čega se bježi, što se potiskuje – izaziva, odnosno odlazi u podsvijest pojedinca i zna isplivati na neočekivanom mjestu u neprikladnoj situaciji. Kako je s pojedincima tako je i s ljudskim društvima: šutnja i potiskivanje nakratko mogu onemogućiti svijest o nečemu, no dugoročno ne: Ono potiskivano, prešućivano ignorirano – nalazi načina kako će isplivati na površinu.

Doktrina džihada

Author(s): Majid Khadduri / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 20/2015

Pojam džihad izvodi se iz glagola džahada (apstraktna imenica, džuhd) sa značenjem ≫truditi se≪. Njegovo pravno-teološko značenje odnosi se na ulaganje vlastitih napora na Alahovu putu, odnosno, na širenje vjere u Alaha i njegove riječi po čitavom svijetu. Individualna naknada za to značilo bi spasenje, budući da džihad predstavlja izravan put u raj koji jamči Alah.

Ali drugog puta nema

Author(s): Adnan Silajdžić / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 74-75/2016

Poznato je da Bosna i Hercegovina dugi niz godina prolazi kroz veoma ozbiljan proces društvenoga, političkoga, nacionalnoga i vjerskoga raslojavanja. U tom procesu, između mnogih drugih tema koje se tiču budućeg razvoja bosanskohercegovačkoga društva, pitanje pomirenja i tolerancije, odnosno međureligijskoga dijaloga zauzima najistaknutije mjesto. Zauzima, jer je, prema mom mišljenju, jedan od najvažnijih instrumenata vjerskog i nacionalnog pomirenja autentično poimanje i dosljedno provođenje načela vjerske slobode i tolerancije bez kojih nije moguće graditi niti i jedan drugi oblik tolerancije u našemu društvu. Reafirmiranjem načela tolerancije, kakvog poznaje tradicionalna religijska metafizika (lex aeterna – sveta predanja), stvorile bi se mogućnosti otklanjanja tragičnih posljedica rata i učvršćivanja mira na prostoru Bosne i Hercegovine, pa tako i u njenome glavnome gradu Sarajevu.

Ideologijski ekstremizam i razaranje kulturnog naslijeđa: tradicijski muslimanski odgovor

Author(s): Michael Sugich / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 74-75/2016

Uništavanje naslijeđa kroz historijsku i ideološku mržnju – suludu želju da se do temelja uništi jedna civilizacija – jeste čudovišno. Svi Bosanci imaju neposredno i živo sjećanje na tu vrstu kulturne svireposti. Opomene na to posvuda su oko vas. Međutim, u najvećem dijelu islamskog svijeta uništavanje našeg naslijeđa ne čini vanjski neprijatelj nego neprijatelj iznutra. Na površinskom nivou proces zatiranja islamske baštine u većini naših društava pokreću komercijalizacija, modernizam i dinastička obijest, a potpomažu ga korupcija, apatija i neznanje. No, ispod površine rovari duboka ideološka mržnja prema islamskoj historiji, kulturi i tradicionalnom znanju, koja se po islamskim društvima raširila poput virusa. Ta ideologija podstiče i, ustvari, promovira uništavanje naše tradicionalne baštine. A sebe naziva “selefizam”.

Fundamentalism in the Light of Selected Psychological Concepts

Author(s): Anna Zasuń / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

The aim of the article is to present the psychological roots of fundamentalism, which can be found in each type of the phenomenon, and also an attempt to show fundamentalism, as the configuration of certain personality traits. As the basis for such an interpretation of fundamentalism, serve the psychological approach, which relate to the personality, cognitive style, refer to the prejudices, as well as to the concept of authoritarian personality and its constitutive characteristics. Article raised the question of so–called “fundamentalist personality” on the basis of diversity of manifestations of this phenomenon and its correlation with the concepts of authoritarianism and dogmatism. Author also addresses psychological category of attitude, which is the starting point in the discussion of the phenomena, such as fundamentalism or nationalism. In the background of considerations is an attempt to organize knowledge on fundamentalism, taking into account the historical roots of the phenomenon, and also, as a complementary reflection, a legitimacy of identifying fundamentalism with terrorism.

OSVRT NA DEKLARACIJU EVROPSKIH MUSLIMANA

Author(s): Ishak Alešević / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 66/2016

Declaration of European Muslims presented by reisu-l-ulama Dr. Mustafa Cerić at the Islamic Forum Conference in August 2005, is a significant step in presenting Muslims and the teachings of Islam to the European Union (EU). Declaration states the position of European Muslims addressing three kinds of audiences: the European Union, Muslims who live in Europe and the Muslim world. According to the Declaration the Muslims clearly opt for and support European values: rule of law, principles of tolerance, values of democracy and the human rights, and “the belief that every human being has a right to the five fundamental values: life, faith, freedom, property and dignity”. Declaration appeals to The Muslims to adhere to “the imperatives of their faith” in their lives, namely: “to read and learn, to have faith and work hard, to be pious and respect parents, to be sincere and fight for individual rights, and to think about the future” declaration also appeals to the Islamic spiritual centre to “take a leading role in providing a global direction in practical matters” and to show to the world that “Islam is a serious and a just faith, that it is an attractive culture and peaceful in its politics, that it has good people and land that is rich, that Islam reflects equally the wise man of the East and the rational man of the West”. In this review, considering the socio-political framework wherein Muslims of today live, the need for frequent promotion of the values and the ideas stated in the Declaration is stressed.