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- Convenor:
-
Jere Kyyrö
(University of Turku)
Send message to Convenor
- Chair:
-
Jere Kyyrö
(University of Turku)
- Format:
- Panel
- Location:
- Eta room
- Sessions:
- Monday 4 September, -
Time zone: Europe/Vilnius
Short Abstract:
The discussion on civil religion resurfaces from time to time. This panel welcomes papers that discuss civil religion in its various empirical and theoretical contexts, assess it critically, discuss its overlap, distinction or connections with other concepts or further redevelop or re-define it.
Long Abstract:
The discussion around civil religion has continued within the sociology of religion and study of religion in general until recent times, although already in the 1980s some researchers claimed that the discussion would be over. One distinct strand has been the discussion on American civil religion, originated by Robert N. Bellah with his 1967 essay, and continued in the post-Trumpian era.
The concept has traveled to other national contexts, and transnational and global civil religion have also been discussed. For example, the Bellahian view focused on the Protestant-influenced public religion that referred to God and Biblical archetypes, but was general and non-denominational. In Northern Europe researchers have found civil religion from Lutheran national churches as well as secular nationalist contexts. The concept has been used analytically as well as normatively, and critics have pointed out the existence of various versions of civil religion, as some have declined its universality, or existence altogether. There are also several concepts that more or less overlap with civil religion, such as (religious) nationalism and political religion, as well as the more recent discussions on culturalizing, nationalizing and hijacking of religion.
This panel welcomes papers that discuss civil religion in its various empirical and theoretical contexts. We do not predefine the concept, but welcome various ways of understanding civil religion. We also welcome papers that are critical, but nevertheless discuss the concept of civil religion, discuss its overlap, distinction or connection with other concepts and discussions, or further redevelop or re-define the concept.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Monday 4 September, 2023, -Paper short abstract:
The paper explores examples of civil religion in Japanese society. Highlighted are: (a) the interplay between civil religion and institutionalised religions, and (b) the distinction between civil religion and "primal religion" with its this-worldly benefits.
Paper long abstract:
The concept of “civil religion” has not been used very much in studies or discussions of Japanese religions, although it is in fact extremely relevant. In the introduction, therefore, I will briefly sketch the provenance of the concept and the way it is being used here. The central part of the paper will provide illustrative examples of some of the leading elements of civil religion in Japan such as annual events, fêted national figures, cultural symbols and national treasures. Theoretically, two aspects will be highlighted. First, it is notable that elements of civil religion emanate from and are promoted by secular institutions and technologized media, while organised religions in turn adopt leading elements of civil religion and mobilise them within their own systems. There is therefore a two-way symbolic traffic. Second, it is notable that civil religion sits almost seamlessly on that wider stratum of Japanese religious life which I refer to as primal religion. Care will be taken to indicate both the shared features and the differences between these two strata. The most striking difference is the lack of individual prayers for this-worldly benefits in civil religion, while these are prominent in primal religion. The patterns of primal religion are therefore more diversified, while civil religion has an even stronger claim on social obligation.
Paper short abstract:
The paper suggests a model that analyses civil religion in Denmark as a relational construct vis-à-vis other states and as set of rituals and celebrations that are interwoven with celebrations and rituals of church and family.
Paper long abstract:
Drawing on the sociology of Norbert Elias and Emile Durkheim as well as recent research in collective emotions and social ontology, the paper suggests a model that analyses civil religion in Denmark as a relational construct vis-à-vis other states and as a set of rituals and celebrations that are interwoven with celebrations and rituals of church and family.
By doing so, the model is able to explain a somewhat neglected fact, namely the widespread references to other states (and wars against them) found in civil religion. In addition, the paper suggests that mainstream religious practice in Denmark could be seen as a complex system of celebrations and rituals that are intertwined and interwoven.
Paper short abstract:
By analyzing thematic writings and survey data, this paper looks how individual Finns relate to the Independence Day and who celebrates the Independence Day. Relating to the Independence Day is discussed within the theoretical frame of civil religion.
Paper long abstract:
In the 2000s and 2010s, the Finnish Independence Day was celebrated with traditional public forms, but simultaneously the idea of Finnishness were contested in various Left wing and Far-Right demonstrations. Earlier studies have focused on these public forms. By analyzing thematic writings (N=66) and survey data (N=1208), this paper looks how individual Finns relate to the Independence Day and who celebrates the Independence Day. Relating to the Independence Day is discussed within the theoretical frame of civil religion.
From the writings, three modes of relating to the Independence Day were found. The traditional mode focuses on war-remembrance, traditional symbols and habits (candles, flags, eating and drinking well, visiting graves) and media ritual. Negotiating mode takes reflective, ironic or humorous distance to the traditions but still participates in them, for example by inventing new individual forms of celebration. Critical mode focuses on the elitism and corruption of the society, and often uses the Independence Day as platform for more general social critique.
On the basis of the survey, higher class position (indicated by self-identification and education), being a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church (ELCF) and Finnish speaking increased the odds of celebrating the Independence Day. Participating in Independence Day celebrations is majority activity, and it is more popular on the well-to-do parts of the society, echoing the ideas of the "good citizen", and being reflected in the accusations of elitism. The role of the ELCF as majority religion is accepted as cultural religion, thus blending as part of banal nationalist backdrop of the Independence Day and Finnish civil religion. The symbolic center of the Independence Day traditions, however, focuses on the war-remembrance.