Politicization of religion, the power of the state, nation, and faith : the case of former Yugoslavia and its successor states

A generation ago, many social scientists regarded religion as an anachronism whose social, economic, and political importance would inevitably wane and disappear in the face of the inexorable forces of modernity. Of course, nothing of the sort has occurred; indeed, the public role of religion is resurgent in US domestic politics, in other nations, and in the international arena. Today, religion is widely acknowledged to be a key variable in candidate nominations, platforms, and elections; it is recognized as a major influence on domestic and foreign policies. National religious movements as diverse as the Christian Right in the United States and the Taliban in Afghanistan are important factors in the internal politics of particular nations. Moreover, such transnational religious actors as Al-Qaida, Falun Gong, and the Vatican have had important effects on the politics and policies of nations around the world. Review: 'In difficult times it is easy to fall back on traditional values, like for example religion or nation, especially if they were repressed. This happened in mid-eighties in former Yugoslavia when politicians revoked national and religious differences using them for political purposes. But they went one step too far. What followed were tragic wars. In spite of that, even twenty years after the war and collapse of the Yugoslav state, religions continue to be politicized. This is why the book that shows how it happened, is so important.' - Slavenka Drakulic, Writer and Political Commentator, Eurozine and Guardian, author of They Would Never Hurt a Fly: War Criminals on Trial in the Hague (2004) 'The topics addressed in this volume on the politicization of religion could not be more urgent, the multi-disciplinary questioning of the politically correct and intellectually lazy label "fundamentalism" not more to the point. The contributions assembled demonstrate how poorly understood the so-called "civil war" in Bosnia-Herzegovina still remains. A long overdue clear-eyed look at a phenomenon that we continue to misconstrue only at our peril.' - Arne Johan Vetlesen, Professor of Philosophy, University of Oslo, Norway, author of Evil and Human Agency (2005) Ab)use of religion as a political means to an end: the achievement of nationalist political goals, analyzing 'how' through which mechanisms this phenomenon has been and still is practiced in South-Eastern Europe. There is a great difference between a war being categorized as "religious" and religion being politicized for the purpose of achieving a political goal. However it can at times be hard to tell difference between the two. It can be especially hard to do so when the difference between "pretend to be" and "is" is obscured almost to a point beyond recognition. Volume one analyzes the mass production and use of counterfeit religious symbolism used for political purposes. Volume two of this book focuses more on the actual practical application of the symbolism within the context of state, nation and faith: the use of counterfeit religious symbolism to blur the essential distinction between "what is a real danger to a nation" and "what is not." Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Figures 10 Foreword: A Note on Sociology 12 Preface: Politicization of Religion 18 Acknowledgments 21 Introduction: State, Nation, and Faith 27 1 Politicization of Religion: The Case of Bosnia-Herzegovina 22 2 Was the Bosnian War (1992–1995) a Full-fledged Religious War? 52 3 The Role of the Catholic Church in the Bosnian Conflict 1992–1995: A Historical Approach 73 4 The Gospel and Politics: Transforming Grace for Transformed Society? 113 5 Ecclesiastical Involvement in Serbian Politics: Post-2000 Period 132 6 The Political Dynamics of Intra-Orthodox Conflict in Montenegro 167 7 The Separation between Church and State in Slovenia: A Political Fiasco 187 8 Religion and Politics in Kosovo 209 Conclusion: State, Nation, Faith 229 Notes on Contributors 232 Index 235 Front Matter....Pages i-xxi Introduction: State, Nation, and Faith....Pages 1-5 Politicization of Religion: The Case of Bosnia-Herzegovina....Pages 7-31 Was the Bosnian War (1992–1995) a Full-fledged Religious War?....Pages 33-53 The Role of the Catholic Church in the Bosnian Conflict 1992–1995: A Historical Approach....Pages 55-94 The Gospel and Politics: Transforming Grace for Transformed Society?....Pages 95-113 Ecclesiastical Involvement in Serbian Politics: Post-2000 Period....Pages 115-149 The Political Dynamics of Intra-Orthodox Conflict in Montenegro....Pages 151-170 The Separation between Church and State in Slovenia: A Political Fiasco....Pages 171-192 Religion and Politics in Kosovo....Pages 193-212 Conclusion: State, Nation, Faith....Pages 213-215 Back Matter....Pages 217-226 There is a great difference between a war being categorized as 'religious' and religion being politicized for the purpose of achieving a political goal. However it can at times be hard to tell difference between the two. This text analyses how this phenomenon has been - and still is - practiced in South-Eastern Europe