Rodnoverie was one of the first new religious movements to emerge following the collapse of the Soviet Union, its development providing an important lens through which to view changes in post-Soviet religious and political life. Providing a fascinating overview of the history, organisations, adherents, beliefs and practices of Rodnoverie this book
Based on extensive ethnographic research, this collection uses a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodologies to examine some of the many subcultures and new religious movements that have emerged in Central and Eastern Europe since the fall of communism.
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The resurgence of religiosity in post-communist Europe has been widely noted, but the full spectrum of religious practice in the diverse countries of Central and Eastern Europe has been effectively hidden behind the region's range of languages and cultures. This volume presents an overview of one of the most notable developments in the region, the rise of Pagan and "Native Faith" movements. Modern Pagan and Native Faith Movements in Central and Eastern Europe brings together scholars from across the region to present both systematic country overviews - of Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, and Ukraine - as well as essays exploring specific themes such as racism and the internet. The volume will be of interest to scholars of new religious movements especially those looking for a more comprehensive picture of contemporary paganism beyond the English-speaking world.
"Shaping Worldviews" presents a thorough examination of belief systems and worldviews, emphasizing their far-reaching impact on society. The book highlights the crucial role of diverse worldviews in fostering cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and social harmony across various domains, including policymaking, conflict resolution, social justice, innovation, education, health, and global relations. Scholarly research is integrated to stress the importance of understanding recipients' worldviews for persuasive communication and overcoming challenges related to misinformation. The exploration extends to education, workplace cultures, policymaking, conflict resolution, innovation, and international relations, showcasing the pivotal influence of diverse worldviews. The book delves into specific religious traditions and political ideologies, emphasizing their profound effects on societal structures. It introduces the theory of practice architectures, elucidating how worldviews shape practices, promote inclusivity, facilitate change, build reflexivity, and enhance collaborative efforts. A focal point is the analysis of tensions and conflicts arising from religious and political ideologies, as well as worldviews shaped by combinations of these philosophies. The comprehensive coverage spans major world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Mahayana Buddhism, Shinto, folk religions, cult groups, and atheism. The book further investigates various political ideologies such as Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, Feminism, and Nationalism. Additionally, it explores the influence of religious beliefs on social issues, perceptions of science, legislative behaviour, and tensions stemming from religious and political ideologies.
The resurgence of religiosity in post-communist Europe has been widely noted, but the full spectrum of religious practice in the diverse countries of Central and Eastern Europe has been effectively hidden behind the region's range of languages and cultures. This volume presents an overview of one of the most notable developments in the region, the rise of Pagan and "Native Faith" movements. Modern Pagan and Native Faith Movements in Central and Eastern Europe brings together scholars from across the region to present both systematic country overviews - of Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, and Ukraine - as well as essays exploring specific themes such as racism and the internet. The volume will be of interest to scholars of new religious movements especially those looking for a more comprehensive picture of contemporary paganism beyond the English-speaking world.
Rodnoverie was one of the first new religious movements to emerge following the collapse of the Soviet Union, its development providing an important lens through which to view changes in post-Soviet religious and political life. Rodnovers view social and political issues as inseparably linked to their religiosity but do not reflect the liberal values dominant among Western Pagans. Indeed, among the conservative and nationalist movements often associated with Rodnoverie in Russia, traditional anti-Western and anti-Semitic rhetoric has recently been overshadowed by anti-Islam and anti-migrant tendencies. Providing a fascinating overview of the history, organisations, adherents, beliefs and practices of Rodnoverie this book presents several different narratives; as a revival of the native Russian or Slavic religion, as a nature religion and as an alternative to modern values and lifestyles. Drawing upon primary sources, documents and books this analysis is supplemented with extensive fieldwork carried out among Rodnoverie communities in Russia and will be of interest to scholars of post-Soviet society, new religious movements and contemporary Paganism in general.
Explores how the search for meaning in the post-Soviet era has given rise to a revival of ancient spiritual traditions and a plethora of new movements • Reveals the survival of ancient Slavic deities, pagan practices, and folk medicine tradition in modern Russia, including the indigenous pre-Christian customs of the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia • Examines the precursors to modern spiritual movements in the “Silver Age” (1880-1920) and discusses the impact of the Russian Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups • Offers a deep look at the controversial Book of Veles, branded by some as a forgery and hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people In this in-depth look at occult and esoteric traditions in Russia, Christopher McIntosh explores the currents of mysticism, myth, magic, and the spiritual to which the Russian soul has always been attuned. The author explains how the search for meaning in the post- Soviet era has given rise to a revival of ancient spiritual traditions and a plethora of new movements. He examines the precursors to these movements in the “Silver Age” (1880-1920) before the Revolution, when alternative forms of spirituality were finding new life as a reaction to the ongoing climate of violence, revolt, and repression. He discusses the impact of the Russian Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups and shows how their activities were tolerated and even in some instances encouraged--until Stalin assumed power in 1924. Discussing the spiritual reawakening after the fall of communism in 1989, the author explores the survival of Slavic deities and pagan practices in modern Russia, including the indigenous pre-Christian customs of the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia. He examines the resurgence of the Orthodox Church and the burgeoning of alternative forms of spirituality. He offers a deep look at the controversial Book of Veles, branded by some as a forgery and hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people. He also explores the interface between spirituality and the arts and the unique qualities of the Russian language as a medium for the sacred. Revealing the implications of the modern Russian spiritual and esoteric renaissance, McIntosh shows that it still remains to be seen whether Edgar Cayce’s prediction of Russia as the hope of the world will come true or if Russia will remain, as Churchill famously stated, “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”
This volume explores how Pagans negotiate local and global tensions as they craft their identities, both as members of local communities and as cosmopolitan “citizens of the world.” Based on cutting edge international case studies from Pagan communities in the United States, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Malta, it considers how modern Pagans negotiate tensions between the particular and universal, nationalism and cosmopolitanism, ethnicity, and world citizenship. The burgeoning of modern Paganisms in recent decades has proceeded alongside growing globalization and human mobility, ubiquitous Internet use, a mounting environmental crisis, the re-valuing of indigenous religions, and new political configurations. Cosmopolitanism and nationalism have both influenced the weaving of unique local Paganisms in diverse contexts. Pagans articulate a strong attachment to local or indigenous traditions and landscapes, constructing paths that reflect local socio-cultural, political, and historical realities. However, they draw on the Internet and the global circulation of people and universal ideas. This collection considers how they confound these binaries in fascinating, complex ways as members of local communities and global networks.
This book contains selected articles in English language by Timo Schmitz, which were reviewed and (if necessary) updated for this edition. They include mainly political and philosophical topics, but also display his seek for God and understanding the Creation. In the first volume, he presents his insights on Buddhism and his culture critique from 2016, an introduction into Logics from 2017, questions concerning whether God exists and the limits of creation from 2018, and an introduction into his Judeo-Buddhist philosophy from 2019. The articles included in this selection are among others: "'Right Intention' a.k.a. 'Right Thought' in Buddhism – From emotional theory to practice" (2016), "A modified version of Metta – from the perspective of a practitioner" (2016), "The Storehouse-Consciousness – How does it work and why does it affect us?" (2016), "From the creation of the world to the eschatology in Buddhism" (2016), "The Different Forms of Religion" (2017), "What is Logic?" (2017), "The dilemma of natural law in an organised society" (2017), "The Red Banner philosophy as religious legitimation of the DPRK political apparatus in civil life" (2017), "Overview of the very basics of Logic" (2017), "If God exists, then He exists through you" (2018), "What is Yogacara?" (2018), "Plotinus' triad as actual experience" (2018), "On Plato's Good and the tripartite soul" (2019), "The nature of reality in Plato's Republic and Eastern Religion" (2019), "Short Introduction Into My Judeo-Buddhism" (2019).
