Religion as a ground of political organizing

Abstract

As a ground of political organizing, religion is the subject matter of the present paper. After the restoration of a multy-party system in the territory of the former SFR of Yugoslavia, strong religious activities characterize the political scene, which means the increase of their influence in the sphere of politics. The relationship is therefore analyzed between the newly-formed political parties and religion. In all Yugoslav regions (meaning the former SFRY) political parties did emerge which in one way or another were connected to the religion. Various forms of political organizing are reviewed which are directly inspired with religion, such as democratic-Christian parties, or those which are genuinely or formally secular, while, in spite of that, are not able to resist the challenge of the religious feeling. They, too, insert some elements of this Weltanschauung into their political programs and practice.

Religija kao pogled na svet je oduvek predstavljala izvor i inspiraciju za političko delovanje. Nekada je čitav društveni poredak bio zasnovan na religiji ili je bio opravdavan religijom. A danas usled snažnog procesa sekularizacije taj odnos nije tako direktan niti uvek vidljiv. No, uprkos tome, svaka prava politikološka analiza pokazaće da u svakome društvu postoji određena veza između religije i političkog organizovanja, bilo da postoje političke partije koje u religiji nalaze motive za svoje delovanje bilo da koriste versko raspoloženje potencijalnih birača ili se služe uticajem postojećih crkava.