Paper short abstract:

Hungarian native faith movements have transformed from counter cultural thought into mainstream political discourse, which supports emotive and identity-based approach. The heritagization and sacralization of ethnic nation and its past provides fertile ground for a new wave of nationalistic thought.

Paper long abstract:

Native faith movements have been present in Hungary for decades, and in the 2010s, they have gained bigger popularity and even reached the attention of the general public. This is partly because of social media and partly because of current political discourse. Questions of Hungarian prehistory and pre-Christian religion became of general interest, which often manifests in religious-spiritual conviction and practices. People are looking for authentic, native or even pagan Hungarian experiences. Hungarian native faith and its elements are regarded as religious heritage that must be upheld. Political discourse with its eastward looking narrative provides a viable background for this notion, and lifts up a previously counter cultural thought into the mainstream, while also shaping the collective national identity. Native faith movements are fueled by a new wave of nationalism where traditional values must be protected against attacks of outside forces. In globalizing culture, people following native faith movements hold on to a supposed religious heritage, which aims to empower Hungarians to find a way back to the authentic roots of culture. In my presentation I will address the search and construction of authenticity of native faith movements through the heritagization and sacralization of the ethnic nation and its past. In this context, scientific approach gives place to emotive and identity-based viewpoint. This provides a fertile ground for nationalistic thought, where authentic notions are expressed in opposition to mainstream politics or dominant religious culture.