Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies

The Pastorship of Fear, Faithlessness and the Return of Christian Universalism in 21st Century Europe: An Analysis of New Politico-Religious Dynamics

Alexandru Lazar — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This article explores the contemporary resurgence of Christian Universalism in Europe, a doctrine historically marginalized in European theology but revitalized through transatlantic influence, particularly from the American religious context. Drawing on the development of universalist thought in the United States – where it gained traction amid growing disillusionment with traditional doctrines of eternal damnation, the democratization of biblical interpretation, and an increasing emphasis on inclusivity and reconciliation – the study investigates how these theological currents are reshaping European Christianity. Three central themes structure the analysis: (1) the impact of transatlantic influences and the American evolution of Christian universalism from the late 20^th century onward; (2) the rise of a “pastorship of fear” in Europe, characterized by apocalyptic rhetoric, moral anxiety, and civilizational pessimism; and (3) the erosion of traditional eschatological doctrines and the parallel ascent of universalist theology, with a particular focus on the Catholic Church’s shifting stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion and its implications for church – state dynamics. By situating these developments within broader sociopolitical and religious transformations, the article argues that Christian universalism is not merely a revived theological position, but a marker of a new religious epoch shaped by contemporary existential uncertainty, societal fragmentation, and a renewed yearning for universal salvation.

Orthodoxy and politics in the 21st century – Ukrainian Orthodox Churches and the war

Iuliu-Marius Morariu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

The war between Russia and Ukraine which began on February 24, 2022, has multiple implications, including religious ones that should not be overlooked. Ukraine, a country with an Orthodox majority, has, since 2019, two Orthodox jurisdictions: one under the Moscow Patriarchate, led by Metropolitan Onuphrios, which has been repeatedly sanctioned by the Ukrainian state in the recent years and another one, recognised thorough a thomos in 2019 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, led by Metropolitan Epiphany. During the war, the first one has been often considered agency of the Russians in the Ukrainian space and therefore, struggled to convince the Ukrainian state authorities of its independence. On the other hand, the second one, seeking the canonical recognition from the Eastern Orthodox World, has enjoyed the support of the state, who wants a national church to represent its interests. In our research, we will try to explore how the jurisdictions have been perceived during the war, to bring into attention the aspects of political theology that can be found in their activity and, at the same time, to emphasize the particularities of each.

In God’s Name: An Analysis of Religion Used as Discursive Instrument in Romanian Presidential Elections

Paula Ratiu, Sandu Frunza — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

The relationship between religion and politics has been subjected to diverse research approaches, the manners in which one influences the other being thoroughly analyzed. The present paper was focused on the same relationship, but in the presence of a third element, social media. Analyzing how these three interact, what can be found within the relations created between them and the effects of these interactions on society were the key objectives of the study. These types of information could be found and interpreted through a critical discourse analysis, done in a time, space and context frame relevant for the matter. The chosen frame was represented by the 2025 Romanian presidential elections campaign, the rerun organized after the cancellation of the 2024 rounds of elections. A strongly religious country, in a complex and complicated political moment could offer the right habitat for an in-depth view. By analyzing the Facebook posts of the four most voted candidates in the first round of elections, patterns and differences in how religion is used as discursive tool were identified and explored. Results showed that religion is a strategic favorite of Romanian candidates running for president. Even if they handled it in different ways, religion was present in an almost mandatory manner in the discourses posted by candidates on their social media pages. Even if the separate analysis of each candidate’s use of religion offered information about their strategies, perhaps the most interesting aspects were found in the posts responding or referring to the opponents and to the content circulating online about them. Social media was proven to be the main element changing the realities of religion and dictating how it is used in political discourse, a lot of room for future research being left in this virtual space of interaction.

Muslim Representation in European Parliaments in the XXIst century: Societal Integration or Political Necessity?

Omar Mohammad-Ameen Ahmad Hazaymeh — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This research examines Muslim parliamentary representation in Europe, both as a means of integration and a necessity for ensuring rights. Political participation strengthens citizenship and helps change stereotypes about Muslims, but it is also necessary to protect their rights in light of the rise of far-right rhetoric. Despite the progress made, many challenges remain that hinder Muslims from reaching decision-making positions, such as populism, symbolic representation, and internal divisions. To address these challenges, the research emphasizes the importance of building informed Muslim leaders, adopting comprehensive political platforms, and forming alliances to enhance political influence. The research concludes that the future of Muslim political representation depends on overcoming obstacles through genuine integration, building support networks, and reshaping public discourse to ensure effective political participation that serves the interests of Muslims and society as a whole.

Diplomacy of Dialogue: Pope Francis's Policy towards Islam and the Development of Interreligious Relations in the European Union

Aldona Piwko — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This article examines religious diplomacy as a political tool, focusing on Pope Francis’ actions in shaping Christian-Muslim relations in the context of the integration challenges facing the European Union. The study focuses on the interfaith dialogue initiatives undertaken by the Holy See between 2013 and 2025 and their reception in the European Union member states. Based on an analysis of Catholic Church documents, papal speeches, diplomatic initiatives of the Holy See and the reactions of European institutions, the article shows that the “dialogue diplomacy” conducted by Pope Francis has been an important, yet often underestimated, political instrument influencing the perception of Islam in Europe, contributing to building a platform for cooperation between religious communities. The article argues that Pope Francis’ approach to interfaith dialogue goes beyond the purely theological dimension, becoming part of a broader political strategy aimed at countering social polarization and promoting a model of integration based on mutual respect while preserving cultural identity. The study also highlights the challenges facing the pope’s religious diplomacy in the context of growing tensions related to migration, the secularization of European societies, and political polarization in the countries of the European Union.

Migration, Islamophobia, and Politics: A Study of the Changing Religious Landscape in Europe

Mahatva Yoga Adi Pradana — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This article analyses how the growth of the Muslim population due to migration has changed the religious and political landscape in Europe while also fueling an increase in Islamophobia discourse in the public sphere. Through a qualitative approach based on literature studies and critical discourse analysis, this study examines political narratives, state policies, and media representations of Islam and the Muslim community. Secondary data was collected from international agency reports, scientific journal articles, policy documents, political speeches and mainstream media coverage in several European countries. The study found that rhetoric that stigmatises Muslims as “the other” has been used as a tool for electoral mobilisation by right-wing populist parties, as well as influencing increasingly exclusive immigration and secularism policies. The findings also show that Muslim communities face structural challenges in social, economic, and cultural integration due to stereotypes and systemic discrimination. In the face of this condition, this article recommends formulating more inclusive and human rights-oriented policies, such as increasing Muslim representation, strengthening regulations on hate speech, and education reforms to build diversity literacy. Thus, this study contributes to the academic discourse on the relationship between religion, migration, and politics in contemporary Europe.

Populism, Islam, and the Quest for Utopia: Political Dynamics in 21st Century Europe

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

In the early 21st century, Europe has experienced a profound political transformation marked by the ascendance of populism, which emerges as a reaction to the multifaceted challenges posed by globalization, migration, and demographic changes. This paper explores the intricate interplay between populism and Islam within the context of contemporary European political dynamics, arguing that the rise of populist movements is not merely a manifestation of political discontent but a complex response to perceived existential threats to national identity and cultural integrity. By examining the narratives constructed by populist parties, this study highlights how these movements utilize Islam as a focal point for their utopian visions, often idealizing a return to a homogeneous national identity while simultaneously demonizing the “other.” The analysis delves into the role of digital media in amplifying these narratives, creating echo chambers that reinforce radicalized political discourse and shape public perceptions of Islam. Ultimately, this paper contends that the convergence of populism and Islamophobia reflects deeper societal anxieties and underscores the urgent need for a critical examination of the implications for social cohesion and democratic values in Europe. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature and case studies, this research contributes to the understanding of how populist ideologies are reshaping the political landscape and influencing the future of European integration.

Neo-Religiosity and Political Rhetoric: A Possible “Generation Mechanism” of Anti-system Discourse

Aurel Pavel — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Shaped at the end of the 1960s, the new religiosity comes to reflect that “new and exotic” spirituality that Nicolae Achimescu put in a direct connection with the advance of post-modernity, namely with the mutations that postindustrial society has generated (under the pressure of globalization and secularization) in the field of religious consciousness. Combined with the reticence of “recent” man (H.-R. Patapievici) towards the biblical-dogmatic foundations and the hierarchical structure of the traditional Churches, the new religiosity – assumed as such by the entities known as new religious movements – aims to restructure the way of conceptualizing and practicing faith, including from the perspective of its relationship with the values of civil society. In these circumstances, the fact that sometimes the ‘messages’ of new religious movements sometimes interfere with radical political discourse in a partisan way should not come as a surprise, as their capacity to embody such aspirations cannot be neglected. Moreover, the conflictual and manipulative potential of some of these movements has brought them to the attention of EU bodies and national authorities in Western Europe in recent decades. It is precisely for this reason that we aim to diagnose the anti-system political vocation of some of the new religious movements, and to insist on the mechanism by which they use their doctrinal particularities to underpin a particular type of political rhetoric.

Communication, Religion and Politics in the Western World of the Digital Age

Sandu Frunza — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Today we are witnessing a revival of the spirit of religious fundamentalism in the political discourse of the European Union countries. A discourse of violence unfolds in the form of a new alliance between religion and politics is present among some Western political leaders. These forms of political communication are facilitated, on the one hand, by the political discourse of the populist parties, and on the other hand, using communication technologies to transmit political messages. They occur despite the fact that one of the gains of the postmodern world was the secularization of public life, the rule of law and political communication. In order to understand what is happening to political constructions in the era of the development of artificial intelligence, we have resorted to the perspective on communication formulated by Aurel Codoban, one of the most important Romanian philosophers. An unavoidable theme is that of otherness and identity construction. Artificial intelligence cannot be constituted as an otherness in relation to which the human being can build his own identity or the identity of the community to which he belongs. However, in the digital age, communication constructs reality, and in this process, communication technologies and especially artificial intelligence can be instrumentalized in the construction of discourse that can lead to the construction of identity in general and political identity in particular. Everything takes place in the context of a dialectic of the sacred and the profane in which the development of communication technologies enhances the collaboration between the human being and artificial intelligence.