The Current Possibilities for Re-Politicization of Religion: On the Integrative Role of Religion

Historically, religion was not only closely interconnected with politics, but it also welded society together. The character of religion implies its universality that forms both the commonly shared concept of the world and of society. However, history of religion confirms the mutual interdependence of religion and politics. This allows us to consider religion a political entity. Nevertheless, modern western society, western intellectual in particular, constrained religion into private sphere. Presently, the idea that religion has no place in politics, that it is a strictly personal matter, prevails. Based on this assumption, modern society defines itself as secular. At the same time, it casts doubts on the integrative function of religion in society. The current events, however, show that religion does not “want” to remain limited to the private sphere. The fact can be documented not only by the present role of Islam worldwide but also the role of Judaism in the Middle East or Christianity contributing significantly to the break down of Communism in Europe. These can be seen as examples of repoliticization of religion and can put into question modern sociological theories that religion nowadays plays no role on the level of macro-social systems