Dinamica afilierii religioase în România (1992-2011)

Author(s): Manuela Gheorghe / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 15/2015

Comparated to the most European Union secularized countries, Romania is still considered as a space with an increased religiosity level, What are the real opportunities to maintain this de facto situation and, especially, what religious perspectives have we in this regard for our country in near future? Our hypothesis is that, despite this religious ascendance as previously mentioned, our society is no more protected against secularisation. This article is intending to bring for discussions some statistical data regarding religiosity of Romanian urban and rural population, through a very specific indicator, respectively, religious affiliation. This article is summing up few outcomes after statistical research on census conducted in Romania after 1990 and suggests the conclusion of a slight but continuous tendency of decreasing the membership number, reported to the higly majority of religious cults in Romania.

Csoda és társadalom

Author(s): András Jobbágyi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 2/2015

Secularization and Democratization in Southeast Mexico

Author(s): Héctor Gómez Peralta / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2016

The paper explains the process of transition to democracy of a Zapotec community in the deep highlands of Oaxaca, in Southern México. That transition go hand to hand with profound religious changes. The paper shows how that political transition took place because a strong process of secularization and religious pluralism that modified all the socioeconomics structures of the Zapotec people. The paper shows the transition from a political regimen ruled by Shamans, a theocracy, to a gerontocracy, a regimen ruled by an Elder’s Council. And more lately, the transition from gerontocracy to the formation of a direct democracy, a regimen ruled by a People’s Assembly, integrated by all the citizens of the Zapotec community.

RROMANIPE IN TRANSITION: PROTESTANTIZATION OF ROMA

Author(s): Dragan M. Todorović / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2016

The expansion of Protestant teaching among Roma in southeastern Serbia, more intensely in the last decade and a half, has initiated the process of reshaping their collective identity. Traditional components of Rromanipe are being reconceptualized and adapted to modernity. The former belonging to a unified and homogenous ethnic group is today raised to the level of religious identification, and the cultural identity is equated with the proclaimed values of religious communities, whose new members they are. The primary division into “Us, Roma” and “Them, Gadže” has evolved into “Us, believers” and “Them, Non-believers”. When choosing a partner, the “purity of blood” is no longer crucial, now it is the “purity in Christ”: the preferred choice of partner exclusively founded on the endogamic basis is substituted by a choice with a confessional basis, leading to a richer ethnic palette. The paper analyzes the replies of baptized believers of Romani nationality in several Protestant religious communities on the territory of southeastern Serbia (Christian Baptist Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Adventist Church and Evangelical Pentecostal Church) concerning the differences between the world of Protestant Roma and non-Roma and the world of non-believing Roma and non-Roma, as well as the possibility of entering friendly relationships and marriages with Roma and non-Roma who do not belong to a selected Protestant church.

THE PROBLEM OF SYMBOLS OF THE RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IN THE BORDERLANDS (The Case of Hijab in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Author(s): Ivan Cvitković / Language(s): English Issue: 02/2016

A hob of religion circles around the world. Like discussions once focused on communism, nowadays, religion(s) is (are) the focus of discussions, with plenty of controversial views and judgements. One of those discussions is being led about the symbols of religious affiliation that have become current by the expansion of religious pluralism. That issue is particularly current in the borderlands, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is the borderland of different religious cultures. The cult of hair in Islam. Different religious cultures have different attitudes towards hair (from its coverage to the shaving of heads). Since the 1990s, a tradition of covering Muslim women’s heads has returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina; most often, it refers to the hijab. Differences can be found between a headscarf, niqab, hijab and burqa. At the beginning of 2016, discussions on wearing a hijab in the courtroom have started. The paper also refers to differences of court practices related to the hijab in some European countries and the USA. There is also the practice of the European court for human rights. A “fear” of hijabs amongst a part of the European intellectuals. The phobia of Islam is born from that “fear”. The reason for the discussion on hijabs in Bosnia and Herzegovina was the Law on courts and the decision of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) to ban female judges from wearing the hijab in court. The stances of male/female believers and Bosniacs of different views, of theologians and of the Islamic community on that issue are presented herein. The paper will also reflect upon the attitudes of lawyers expressed in the above polemics. In the end, solutions will be offered.

REVITALIZED ORTHODOXY AND LGBT PEOPLE IN CONTEMPORARY SERBIA

Author(s): Miloš Jovanović / Language(s): English Issue: 02/2016

The paper deals with the relation of the dominant religious confession in Serbia towards non-heterosexuality. After considering the attitude of Christianity in general, and Orthodoxy in particular, towards “different” sexual orientations, some of the statements of senior Church officials are cited as an illustration of that attitude. After that, some of the findings of the research of the Serbian population on the attitude towards religion and homosexuality are provided. A special form of religious nationalism that exists in Serbia is associated with the intensity and content of the negative attitude towards homosexuality. At the end of the paper the results of research attitudes towards homosexuality in 39 countries are presented, where special attention is given to the connection of religion with (non)acceptance of homosexuality.

TRENDS IN EASTERN ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY: TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF SEXUALITY

Author(s): Philip Abrahamson / Language(s): English Issue: 02/2016

Modern Eastern Orthodoxy has neglected to develop a clear and consistent theological anthropology to answer the many contemporary questions of gender and sexuality. Personhood remains remarkably undeveloped; a spirit lacking body. Three modern thinkers, Sergius Bulgakov, Vladimir Lossky, and John Zizioulas, have developed theologies that have many implications for the beginnings of an engagement with modern concerns around gender identity and human sexuality. For Bulgakov, personhood is in the image and likeness of a complex sophianic God, who is unity in diversity. For Lossky and Zizioulas the Christian life is envisioned as one which moves from individuality into personhood, from the limits of nature into loving freedom of persons in communion. Theological anthropology should take seriously the challenge posed by modern theories and philosophies of sex and gender. It should use these thinkers to articulate more clearly a consistent and thoughtful theology which fully understands its implications. A truly Orthodox anthropology would be an integration of two ways: a Bulgakovian human nature, positive and full of mysterious diversity; and the personhood of Zizioulas and Lossky, transcendent and apophatic. This paper will make initial suggestions for developing their thought in directions that can address current questions of gender and sexuality.

FEMALE MONASTICISM IN THE SOC – THE EXAMPLE OF THE LIPOVAC MONASTERY

Author(s): Dragana Zaharijevski,Danijela Gavrilović / Language(s): English Issue: 03/2016

This paper problematizes certain topics related to female monasticism in the Serbian Orthodox Church. Since the mere phenomenon of female monasticism and the practice present in this region are very rich, we were inclined to focus on specific aspects of the monastic life: the identity of nuns and the relation towards marriage and family.

Взгляд российских православных педагогов на методы воспитания согласно педагогической системе Иоганна Фридриха Гербарта

Author(s): Jurij Bojcheniuk / Language(s): Russian Issue: 3/2016

The article presents the main psychological foundations of the system of child education worked out by J. F. Herbart, who paid special attention to the development of a child’s character by applying five principles and recognizing the need for grading (six steps of education). Some of J. F. Herbart’s psychological views are criticized by Russian Orthodox educationists: his concept of the newborn child’s soul as a tabula rasa, the will being supposedly subject to education and the desire as not existing independently of the reflexes of the soul. Orthodox educationists, moreover, disagree with all the five principles of forming a child’s character. They most strongly object to the idea of conciliating believers and non-believers or the righteous and sinners. In relation to the steps of a child’s education and other pedagogical claims of the German scholar, Orthodox educationalists voice their objections particularly to the view that a child’s religious feelings should be developed at a later stage of life and that those feelings can be transferred from family feelings. Likewise, they disagree with the approach of the German educationist as to the content of religious education and express their critical comments on his views concerning a child’s individuality.

Zachodnia globalizacja a uniwersalizm islamu

Author(s): Krzysztof Modras / Language(s): Polish Issue: 4/2016

The globalization policy of the modern West, attempting to create a universal model of life, caused the emergence of Islamic movement, trying to defend their cultural and religious identity. This renewal is accompanied by a call to return to their foundations, which are the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is not a pure repetition of the original religion of Muhammad’s time, but an attempt to define their own cultural specificity against other cultures. The Muslims offer their own, more universal system, which in addition to the values promoted by Western globalization, also includes spiritual values and a reference to God. The link between the Islamic return to their foundations and a call to violence arouses anxiety in the West. It is a specific reinterpretation of their own sources, which present Islam as a divine, ultimate and perfect religion. Islamic fundamentalism tries to accelerate this process by resorting to terror. Although it is not an ideology accepted by the majority of Muslims, but a constant battle with the unbelievers in Allah is inherent in the nature of Islam and will end when the whole world becomes Muslim.

O (nie)możliwości dialogu między religiami

Author(s): Ireneusz Ziemiński / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

The author attempts to justify the claim that an authentic interreligious dialogue, conceived of as the common pursuit of the truth, is impossible. As the main reason the author indicates the fact that, at the starting point of such a pursuit, it would be necessary for an authentic believer in a religion to suspend his or her faith in the truth of this religion. This condition, however, cannot be accepted by any of the involved parties. Thus interreligious dialogue is possible merely in the form of converting those who believe differently, opposing beliefs considered as false, confirming one’s religious identity, or expression of one’s beliefs. Similar difficulties apply also to the ecumenical dialogue within Christianity.

Poland as a case study for some aspects of religion, mediatisation, and secularisation

Author(s): Ewa Stachowska / Language(s): English Issue: 41/2016

The interactions between religion and the media are characterized by a great complexity, manifesting itself inter alia in the impact on the spheres of culture, education and religion, making these dimensions almost obliged to subordinate themselves to the influence of the media, as well as to use the media tools in their activity to fulfill the basic or constitutive aims. In this article one of the aspects of the relationship existing between religion and the media will be discussed, namely, the use of the Internet by the Catholic Church – mainly in Poland, though not only – to distribute religious content and ideas, originally contributing to the support of the pastoral ministry and evangelization. At the same time, the features of the recipients of these activities will be outlined, indicating – at least indirectly – the effectiveness and accuracy of both the inevitable and essential alliance between the sacrum and the media nowadays.

The post-secular turn and its consequences for the practice of science

Author(s): Jerzy Kaczmarek / Language(s): English Issue: 41/2016

In this article, the author tackles the post-secular turn around in the context of practicing science, and as such how this manner of thinking has affected how science, its tasks and its practical activity is perceived by those practicing it. Initially two fundamental concepts are discussed, namely secularization and post-secularism – their pedigree and ways in which they are expressed. The article deal slater with issues related to the presence of religious references in the natural sciences, as well as the possibilities of utilizing the natural sciences in religion and theology. Consequently, the area of issues embraced by the new scientific sub-discipline known as the theology of science is discussed. The article then addresses the discourse regarding the presence of theology and religion in sociology, and refers to the conceptions of such sociologists as P. Rieff, K. Flanagan, Z. Krasnodębski, E. Hałasand K.T. Konecki. Finally, it indicates possible further consequences of post-secular thinking in the field of sociology, and relates the current post-secular turn to Nikolai Berdyaev’s concept of the New Middle Ages.

Kształtowanie samoświadomości moralnej małżonka w nauczaniu św. Augustyna z Hippony

Author(s): Antoni Swoboda / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2013

The article is divided into two paragraphs. The first paragraph presents St. Augustine’s opinion on the husband as a person. His remarks on the appearance as well as the personal values of a man and husband are discussed.The second paragraph deals with the issue of personality formation, including such points as the care to form moral goodness, especially the Virtues of chastity and continence. This paragraph also considers St. Augustine’s View on concupiscence. The bishop of Hippo not only assesses concupiscence but also gives encouragement to overcome it and at the same time suggests methods that enable its control.

"Eli, Eli , lema sabachthani" (Mt 27,46). Aramejskie wyrażenia w greckim tekście Nowego Testamentu

Author(s): Piotr Ostański / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

There is no doubt that in Jesus’ times the three ancient languages, Hebrew, ramaic, and Greek were commonly spoken in Roman Palestine. It is also beyond discussion that Jesus’ mother tongue was ramaic.

Niektóre wyzwania pod adresem metody teologii

Author(s): Janusz Królikowski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

This study focuses on two issues, namely: the issue of the contemplative character of theology (it deals with the nature of theology), and the question of how other academic disciplines – especially anthropological ones – may contribute to theology. The latter is an attempt to point out certain possible interdisciplinary applications of theology, and to open to the subject of its study and to the formulated proposals concerning particularly understanding of man and his life on earth. The issue of a contemplative character of theology, deeply rooted in its own history, has to struggle today with two phenomena: anthropological reductionism and the preference given to action. The question then arises: why cannot such tendencies be accepted uncritically? Contemporary theology faces a serious challenge because it has to include in its study a positive contribution made by humanities for understanding of man. However, a question may be asked: how to take advantage of the achievements of these disciplines so that the theological reflection may preserve its specific character and serve a deeper understanding of faith and its essence.

Model soteriologiczny oparty na kategorii zaufania. Hipoteza

Author(s): Grzegorz Strzelczyk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

Numerous classic soteriological models are based on the concepts or experiences which are not clear for contemporary people. Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose new models which will be more comprehensible in the present cultural context. The article constitutes an attempt at constructing a soteriological model based on a category of trust, which primarily characterized both the relation of God to a human (the act of entrusting the world to a human) and of a human to God. The main hypothesis concerns the essence of the first sin, which is traditionally described as disobedience, whereas here we strive to prove that it consisted in taking back the human trust in God, which also resulted in taking back God’s trust in humans and in distorting the human’s image of God. Thus, God’s salutary action is pedagogical: it aims to restore in a human being an attitude of trust, whose ultimate realization is the human trust of Christ in God the Father. The act of entrusting His Son to humanity and the lack of punishing reaction to the murdering of His Son are the most significant expressions of the revelation of God as trustworthy. Whoever responds with faith (trust) to this revelation will be saved.

Kulturowo-religijny stosunek do bankowości a wielkie religie świata

Author(s): Lech Kurklinski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 3/2015

The article is dedicated to the attitude of the great world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism) to the world of finance, including banking. The issue of usury plays a key role together with the evolution of ethical aspects related to obtaining compensation for money lending. The analysis is focused on the other aspects of banking activities, such as saving, investing, and institutional development of the banking sector as well. The author underlines the far-reaching convergence between religions in this area, in spite of the considerable variation in historical and geographical conditions of their formation. The importance of cultural (religious) differences, including the nuances or more fundamental aspects, has a significant impact on bank management in different regions. For successful development, large multinational corporations have to take into consideration the above-mentioned circumstances, regardless of globalization processes.

Sprawozdanie prezesa Polskiego Towarzystwa Teologicznego za rok 2014

Author(s): Kazimierz Panuś / Language(s): Polish Issue: 4/2015

Poprzednie walne zebranie Polskiego Towarzystwa Teologicznego odbyło się 25 lutego 2014 roku. Otwierało ono obchody 90-lecia istnienia PTT. Składało się z dwóch części. W pierwszej, po wysłuchaniu sprawozdań prezesa, skarbnika, kierownika Sekcji Wydawniczej i przewodniczącego Komisji Rewizyjnej udzielono absolutorium zarządowi za rok 2013, a następnie przeprowadzono wybory zarządu Polskiego Towarzystwa Teologicznego na lata 2014–2017. W drugiej części walnego zebrania wręczono medal „Zasłużony dla Polskiego Towarzystwa Teologicznego” JE bp. dr. Janowi Szkodoniowi i wysłuchano wykładu ks. prof. Edwarda Stańka nt. Teolog wobec współczesnego świata

Obrzęd święceń biskupich ks. Karola Wojtyły

Author(s): Szymon Fedorowicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2014

The article contains the source text of the Polish translation of the rite of ordination of a bishop prepared for the episcopal ordination of Fr. Karol Wojtyła by Franciszek Małaczyński OSB. The text was found in the archives of Jacek Fedorowicz and prepared for publication by his son Szymon Fedorowicz.