Religion in Eastern Europe (October 2008)

A new edition of the information service “Research Special” offers a comprehensive overview on current social science literature and research references on “Religion in Eastern Europe.” This edition was published on the occasion of the “Religion and Politics in Eastern European States” conference launched by the religion section of the German Association for Eastern European Studies (DGO) on October 11/12, 2008 in Berlin.

Countries under Soviet political rule were influenced for many decades by state-prescribed atheism and the accompanying repressions against the institution of the church and all forms of religious expression. There has been freedom to practice religion since almost twenty years now. In many countries a comeback in religious phenomena can be seen and interactions between religion and politics and society can be observed.

The information service presents an excerpt of social science research concerned with various aspects of religion and church in the successor states of the former USSR as well as the post-Socialist countries of Eastern Europe. The various chapters focus on the role of religion for the societal value system, the relationship between religion and politics or legal questions and give insight on various new forms of religion, including tendencies for secularization. In addition, there is a look at the connection between religion and collective memory and its role for the construction of national and ethnic identities.

The literature and research references from the German speaking areas for this information service offer begins with 2005.

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