Religion, Politics, and Values in Poland: Continuity and Change Since 1989 (Palgrave Studies in Religion, Politics, and Policy)

This volume brings together leading scholars to examine how the Church has brought its values into the political sphere and, in the process, alienated some of the younger generation. Since the disintegration of the communist one-party state at the end of the 1980s, the Catholic Church has pushed its agenda to ban abortion, introduce religious instruction in the state schools, and protect Poland from secular influences emanating from the European Union. As one of the consequences, Polish society has become polarized along religious lines, with conservative forces such as Fr. Rydzyk’s Radio Maryja seeking to counter the influence of the European Union and liberals on the left trying to protect secular values. This volume casts a wide net in topics, with chapters on Pope John Paul II, Radio Maryja, religious education, the Church’s campaign against what it calls “genderism,” and the privatization of religious belief, among other topics. Front Matter ....Pages i-xviii Sources of the Strength of the Church in Poland: An Introduction (Sabrina P. Ramet)....Pages 1-15 Front Matter ....Pages 17-17 Controversies in the Social and Political Engagement of the Catholic Church in Poland Since 1988 (Sabrina P. Ramet)....Pages 19-40 The Many Faces of John Paul II (Stanisław Obirek)....Pages 41-59 The Roman Catholic Church in Poland vis-à-vis Europe and the Processes of European Integration. Three Pictures of Europe (Katarzyna Leszczyńska)....Pages 61-84 Radio Maryja and Fr. Rydzyk as a Creator of the National-Catholic Ideology (Ireneusz Krzemiński)....Pages 85-112 A War on Gender? The Roman Catholic Church’s Discourse on Gender in Poland (Anna Szwed, Katarzyna Zielińska)....Pages 113-136 The Politics of Religious Education in Poland After 1990 (Marcin K. Zwierżdżyński)....Pages 137-159 Religious Minorities in Contemporary Poland (Zbigniew Pasek)....Pages 161-182 Front Matter ....Pages 183-183 Religion in Poland Between Tradition and Modernity, or Religious Continuity and Change in Conditions of Transformation (Irena Borowik)....Pages 185-207 The Public Engagement of the Catholic Church in Polish Society (Janusz Mariański)....Pages 209-230 Polish Religious Values as Reflected in the European Values Study (Mirosława Marody, Sławomir Mandes)....Pages 231-255 Religiosity, the Catholic Church, and Politics in Poland (Mirosława Grabowska)....Pages 257-288 Visible Religion, Invisible Ethics (Wojciech Pawlik)....Pages 289-312 Religion, Politics, and Social Attitudes in Transforming Poland: A Conclusion (Irena Borowik)....Pages 313-324 Back Matter ....Pages 325-341 Sources Of The Strength Of The Church In Poland : An Introduction / Sabrina P. Ramet -- Part I. The Politics Of Religion Since 1989. Controversies In The Social And Political Engagement Of The Catholic Church In Poland Since 1988 / Sabrina P. Ramet -- The Many Faces Of John Paul Ii / Stanisław Obirek -- The Roman Catholic Church In Poland Vis-à-vis Europe And The Processes Of European Integration. Three Pictures Of Europe / Katarzyna Lezczyńska -- Radio Maryja And Fr. Rydzyk As A Creator Of The National-catholic Ideology / Ireneusz Krzemiński -- A War On Gender? The Roman Catholic Church's Discourse On Gender In Poland / Anna Szwed And Katarzyna Zielińska -- The Politics Of Religious Education In Poland After 1990 / Marcin K. Zwierżdżyński -- Religious Minorities In Contemporary Poland / Zbigniew Pasek -- Part Ii. Values And Attitudes Today. Religion In Poland Between Tradition And Modernity, Or Religious Continuity And Change In Conditions Of Transformation / Irena Borowik -- The Public Engagement Of The Catholic Church In Polish Society / Janusz Mariański -- Polish Religious Values As Reflected In The European Values Study / Mirosława Marody And Sławomir Mandes -- Religiosity, The Catholic Church, And Politics In Poland / Mirosława Grabowska -- Visible Religion, Invisible Ethics / Wojciech Pawlik -- Religion, Politics, And Social Attitudes In Transforming Poland : A Conclusion / Irena Borowik. Sabrina P. Ramet, Irena Borowik, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 331-332) And Index. This volume brings together leading scholars to examine how the Church has brought its values into the political sphere and, in the process, alienated some of the younger generation. Since the disintegration of the communist one-party state at the end of the 1980s, the Catholic Church has pushed its agenda to ban abortion, introduce religious instruction in the state schools, and protect Poland from secular influences emanating from the European Union. As one of the consequences, Polish society has become polarized along religious lines, with conservative forces such as Fr. Rydzyk's Radio Maryja seeking to counter the influence of the European Union and liberals on the left trying to protect secular values. This volume casts a wide net in topics, with chapters on Pope John Paul II, Radio Maryja, religious education, the Church's campaign against what it calls zgenderism, y and the privatization of religious belief, among other topics