Religions

16 pages, 268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Queer Migration in Catholic Countries of Central and Eastern Europe: An Unexplored Topic

by Milda Ališauskienė, Halina Grzymala-Mosczynska, Jacek Prusak and Siniša Zrinščak

Religions 2025, 16(7), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070881 (registering DOI) - 9 Jul 2025

This paper explores the under-researched phenomenon of queer migration in Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland—three post-communist, Catholic-majority countries. Drawing on existing studies in the literature and empirical data, it examines how prevailing social conservatism—shaped by the influence of Catholicism and the distinct developmental trajectories [...] Read more.

This paper explores the under-researched phenomenon of queer migration in Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland—three post-communist, Catholic-majority countries. Drawing on existing studies in the literature and empirical data, it examines how prevailing social conservatism—shaped by the influence of Catholicism and the distinct developmental trajectories of these countries—is reflected in research on queer migration. Although limited, the current body of knowledge confirms that concerns over LGBTQIA+ rights are a factor motivating emigration. The three examples illustrate how queer migration must be analyzed within the complex interplay between Europeanization and liberalization, and the backlash against these processes. This backlash, prominently supported by the Catholic Church, includes resistance to gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights. By critically engaging with existing research, the paper underscores the need for future studies—particularly those investigating the gap between legal protections and prevailing social attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, the relationship between human rights backlashes and queer migration, the intersections between spatial context and personal biographies, and the connection between the queer migration and recent immigration waves in these countries. Full article

13 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Journey of Youth Religiosity: From Socialisation in Uncertainty to the New Forms of Fulfilment

by Pablo Echeverría Esparza, Enrique Carretero Pasín and Celso Sánchez Capdequi

Religions 2025, 16(7), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070880 (registering DOI) - 9 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper analyses the religious experience of young people in contexts of digitalisation. The secularisation thesis has not been imposed. Youth, who are more open to the porosity of social and cultural boundaries, live outside of dogma and the church, with the signs [...] Read more.

This paper analyses the religious experience of young people in contexts of digitalisation. The secularisation thesis has not been imposed. Youth, who are more open to the porosity of social and cultural boundaries, live outside of dogma and the church, with the signs of transcendence as a fundamental part of their personal narrative. Religiosity, a contingent temporality, and youth socialised in the unknown lay the foundations for this reflection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functions of Religion Among Young People: Diverse Religious, Spiritual and Non-Religious Worldviews)

19 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Political Discourse and Theological Challenges of Korean Conservative Christianity

by Minseok Kim

Religions 2025, 16(7), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070879 - 8 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper examines the political discourse of South Korean conservative Christianity, focusing on its alignment with far-right ideologies that undermine both democratic norms and the theological integrity of faith. Triggered by recent constitutional crises involving former President Suk-yeol Yoon, far-right Protestant groups have [...] Read more.

This paper examines the political discourse of South Korean conservative Christianity, focusing on its alignment with far-right ideologies that undermine both democratic norms and the theological integrity of faith. Triggered by recent constitutional crises involving former President Suk-yeol Yoon, far-right Protestant groups have engaged in mobilisations marked by hate speech, disinformation, and theological politicisation. Drawing upon Heinrich Bedford-Strohm’s model of public theology, the study critiques this trend and argues for a reconfiguration of Christian public engagement toward justice, inclusion, and rational dialogue. It further explores the blurred boundaries between conservative and far-right Christian movements, the distortion of the public sphere, and the impact of digital misinformation. Ultimately, the paper proposes a theological and ethical roadmap for restoring the credibility of Christianity in South Korea’s pluralistic democracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Faith in Action: Examining the Power and Purpose of a Public Theology in Contemporary Society)

20 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“.____________.” Taking Wittgenstein’s Prayers Seriously

by Urszula Idziak-Smoczyńska

Religions 2025, 16(7), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070878 - 8 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines Wittgenstein’s wartime private notebooks (MS 101–103), shifting attention from his philosophical reflections on religion and prayer to the abundance of written addresses to God found within the coded sections. Wittgenstein’s well-known assertion that “to pray means to think about the [...] Read more.

This article examines Wittgenstein’s wartime private notebooks (MS 101–103), shifting attention from his philosophical reflections on religion and prayer to the abundance of written addresses to God found within the coded sections. Wittgenstein’s well-known assertion that “to pray means to think about the meaning of life” is juxtaposed with direct invocations of God and the Spirit, including the Pater Noster and prayers for courage and submission to the divine will. These invocations, accompanied by strokes or varied long em dashes framed by dots or exclamation marks which Martin Pilch has hypothesized to be symbolic representations of prayers—invite further reflection. Wittgenstein’s religious utterances are not merely outpourings of anguish, but manifestations of a sustained effort to align both life and work with the will of God, and to offer them for His glory. A compelling illustration of this spiritual orientation appears in M. O’C. Drury’s recollection of Wittgenstein’s declaration that his only wish was for his work to conform to the divine will. The interplay between philosophical inquiry and prayer evokes the Confessions of Saint Augustine, a spirit present throughout Wittgenstein’s work. Augustine’s integration of prayer and confession has similarly inspired 20th-century thinkers such as Jacques Derrida and Jean-François Lyotard. These Augustinian traces challenge conventional understandings of language and its limits, as well as the role of written language and punctuation, demanding a profound hermeneutics of the philosopher’s prayer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)

16 pages, 230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In the Presence of the Guru: Listening to Danzanravjaa’s Teaching Through His Poetic Voice

by Simon Wickhamsmith

Religions 2025, 16(7), 877; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070877 - 7 Jul 2025

Abstract

Vajrayāna teaching places the guru outside space and time, while simultaneously manifest in the teacher’s physical body. Those who regard Danzanravjaa primarily as a Buddhist teacher even today have his poems as a potent source of his teaching and consequently as a catalyst [...] Read more.

Vajrayāna teaching places the guru outside space and time, while simultaneously manifest in the teacher’s physical body. Those who regard Danzanravjaa primarily as a Buddhist teacher even today have his poems as a potent source of his teaching and consequently as a catalyst for their own spiritual development. But what can we hear across two centuries, and how can we actively listen to his religious teaching through his singular, aphoristic, and complex poetics? And to what extent can we understand today his nomadic perspective on Buddhist teaching in order better to understand the particular nature of Mongolian Buddhism? This paper will examine Danzanravjaa’s poetry in both Mongolian and Tibetan through the intertwining outer, inner, and secret levels of Tibeto-Mongolian Vajrayāna Buddhism, listening to how his poetic language and down-to-earth themes might have spoken to his contemporaries, as well as how they might speak to us today. In doing so, it presents Danzanravjaa’s poetry in a different light—not in terms of nineteenth century literature but as actionable spiritual wisdom from a teacher who, like any other, presents his own direct apprehension of Buddha nature in a challenging, personal style. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tibet-Mongol Buddhism Studies)

2 pages, 131 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Lee (2025). Integrating Circular Economy and Laudato Si’: A Christian Framework for Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship. Religions 16: 326

by Yong-Gil Lee

Religions 2025, 16(7), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070876 - 7 Jul 2025

Abstract

There was an error in the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Crisis and Religions/Spirituality)

23 pages, 12935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chinese Muslims and Religious Encounters in the “Chinatown” of Dakar, Senegal

by Zheyuan Deng

Religions 2025, 16(7), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070875 - 6 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper investigates religious encounters between Chinese and Senegalese Muslims in the relatively new Chinatown of Dakar. Chinese Muslims from Kaifeng City, Henan Province first arrived in Senegal in the 1990s following the Henan provincial state-owned construction company. They started a wholesale business [...] Read more.

This paper investigates religious encounters between Chinese and Senegalese Muslims in the relatively new Chinatown of Dakar. Chinese Muslims from Kaifeng City, Henan Province first arrived in Senegal in the 1990s following the Henan provincial state-owned construction company. They started a wholesale business mainly of clothing and shoes and brought their relatives and family members to Dakar. However, scholars studying the Chinese community in Dakar have largely ignored their Muslim identity and its significance. Moving beyond the conventional focus on tensions between Muslim and Chinese identities in the study of overseas Chinese Muslims, this paper turns to religious encounters in everyday life. Based on field research and interviews both in Dakar and Henan, this paper argues that for these Chinese Muslim businesspersons in Dakar, Islam as a shared religious identity sometimes provides opportunities to connect with their fellow Muslims in a foreign country. However, differences in religious practices can also lead to misconceptions between them and other Senegalese Muslims. This paper thus contributes to Islamic studies and the study of global China, particularly in relation to overseas Chinese Muslims, China–Africa encounters, and global Chinatowns. Full article

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14 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fate and Freedom in Ancient Stoicism and Augustine’s Critique

by Rosario Neuman Lorenzini, Sergi Grau Guijarro and Miguel Ángel Belmonte

Religions 2025, 16(7), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070874 - 5 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article is divided into three parts. First, a brief exposition of the ontological foundations of ancient determinism is provided to explain the worldview held by such a philosophical position. The second part sets out the argument used by Chrysippus to make causal [...] Read more.

This article is divided into three parts. First, a brief exposition of the ontological foundations of ancient determinism is provided to explain the worldview held by such a philosophical position. The second part sets out the argument used by Chrysippus to make causal determinism compatible with moral responsibility, and points out the tensions that such a position entails. In the third part, the notion of freedom of ancient Stoicism is contrasted with the philosophy of Augustine in order to determine the novelty that Christianity represented in this matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)

13 pages, 320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asterius of Amaseia Between Libanius and John Chrysostom on the Kalends of January

by Maria Veronese

Religions 2025, 16(7), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070873 - 5 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines Asterius of Amaseia’s Homily 4 on the Kalends of January and compares it with the works of Libanius and John Chrysostom on the same subject. Preached in January 400, Asterius’ sermon takes a distinctive approach, focusing less on condemning pagan [...] Read more.

This article examines Asterius of Amaseia’s Homily 4 on the Kalends of January and compares it with the works of Libanius and John Chrysostom on the same subject. Preached in January 400, Asterius’ sermon takes a distinctive approach, focusing less on condemning pagan aspects and more on criticising immoral behaviour during the festival. The bishop emphasises the economic and non-inclusive nature of the celebration, directly refuting Libanius’ eulogy. Asterius portrays the Kalends as a source of social division and violence, in contrast to Libanius’ portrayal of shared joy. This article suggests that Asterius’ polemic reflects a social conflict rather than a pagan–Christian opposition, presenting the Kalends as a moral problem threatening society, particularly through the corruption of its leaders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interaction of Early Christianity with Classical Literature)

17 pages, 241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Protection of Religious Freedom in the Polish Penitentiary System: Between Tradition, Pluralism, and Secularization

by Michał Zawiślak

Religions 2025, 16(7), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070872 - 4 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study examines the exercise of religious freedom within the Polish penitentiary system, focusing on the intersection of legal frameworks, religious pluralism, and secularization. While Poland’s Constitution and penal legislation guarantee inmates the right to practice their faith, the practical implementation of this [...] Read more.

This study examines the exercise of religious freedom within the Polish penitentiary system, focusing on the intersection of legal frameworks, religious pluralism, and secularization. While Poland’s Constitution and penal legislation guarantee inmates the right to practice their faith, the practical implementation of this right faces systemic challenges. This research draws on legal analysis, demographic data, and existing empirical studies to assess how pastoral care operates in prisons. The findings reveal that although the prison system is formally open to various denominations, access to non-Catholic chaplaincy is often limited and misaligned with the evolving religious composition of the inmate population, especially following increased immigration. The number of chaplains and volunteers remains low relative to the needs of inmates, and pastoral services vary widely across regions. Despite these issues, religious involvement is shown to support rehabilitation by fostering moral development and reducing recidivism. This study concludes that a more inclusive, pluralistic, and flexible approach to prison ministry—one that accounts for both declining religiosity and growing diversity—is essential. Chaplaincy must adapt not only as a provider of religious rites but also as a facilitator of ethical reflection, emotional support, and reintegration into a secular and pluralistic society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion and Prison: Practices, Actors, Spaces, and Challenges of Pluralism)

14 pages, 214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Scopes Trial and Its Long Shadow

by David H. Nikkel

Religions 2025, 16(7), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070871 - 4 Jul 2025

Abstract

With the centennial this year of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, this article examines the antagonistic relationship between American Christian fundamentalism and science, particularly evolution and other scientific knowledge challenging literal biblical interpretation. While the trial itself spanned only eleven days, its shadow has [...] Read more.

With the centennial this year of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, this article examines the antagonistic relationship between American Christian fundamentalism and science, particularly evolution and other scientific knowledge challenging literal biblical interpretation. While the trial itself spanned only eleven days, its shadow has been quite long indeed. The article analyzes the background of the trial, fundamentalism then and now—including a later doubling down, contesting interpretations of the trial’s outcome, misremembrances and revisionism in the historical appropriations of the trial, and developments in evolutionary theory relevant to religion. In the process of these analyses, the article evidences the relationships of the Scopes trial on evolution and religion to law, politics, secondary and higher education, and communications and media. Finally, the article highlights past opportunities missed and lessons to be learned that might lessen conflict between religion and science in the future. Full article

13 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On Atheistic Hinges

by Thomas D. Carroll

Religions 2025, 16(7), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070870 - 4 Jul 2025

Abstract

Over the last couple of decades, philosophers have been drawing on ideas from Wittgenstein’s late work On Certainty in developing an approach to epistemology known as “hinge epistemology.” Hinge epistemology has been of particular interest to philosophers of religion because it considers the [...] Read more.

Over the last couple of decades, philosophers have been drawing on ideas from Wittgenstein’s late work On Certainty in developing an approach to epistemology known as “hinge epistemology.” Hinge epistemology has been of particular interest to philosophers of religion because it considers the role that deep commitments to particular propositions may have within epistemic life, arguably mirroring what is seen in some religious traditions. The issue that motivates the present article is whether or to what extent it is helpful to think of forms of atheism as being grounded in hinge commitments. After considering various forms of atheism, this article advances the view that there are some forms of atheism that do exhibit core grounding commitments that may be helpfully interpreted as hinges. In developing this argument, the article considers two case studies of apparent atheistic hinges: the “secular faith” of Martin Hägglund and expressions of atheism one may find in contemporary Chinese society. While many atheistic beliefs are contingent upon still more fundamental epistemic commitments, some forms of atheism may be held strongly or with such a sense of import that interpretation by means of the notion of hinge commitment will be illuminating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)

17 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into Public Theology: Towards Contextualized Theological Engagement in Southern Africa

by Patrick Nanthambwe

Religions 2025, 16(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070869 - 4 Jul 2025

Abstract

The call to decolonize South African university curricula continues to shape academic discourse, highlighting the urgency of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into theological education. While Western epistemologies have long dominated theology in Africa, this article argues for a paradigm shift by [...] Read more.

The call to decolonize South African university curricula continues to shape academic discourse, highlighting the urgency of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into theological education. While Western epistemologies have long dominated theology in Africa, this article argues for a paradigm shift by positioning public theology as a viable framework for engaging AIKS in meaningful and transformative ways. The article examines how AIKSs—expressed through oral traditions, communal spiritualities, and indigenous ethics—can enrich theological discourse, enhance contextual relevance, and address issues such as social justice, identity, and community cohesion. Drawing on the decoloniality discourse, this study critically explores the epistemological, institutional, and pedagogical challenges hindering integration and proposes concrete strategies including curriculum reform, faculty training, and community-based theological formation. The article contributes to the decolonization of theological education by offering a context-specific framework that repositions AIKSs as legitimate theological resources. In doing so, it advances a model of public theology that is inclusive, rooted in African realities, and responsive to the transformative needs of Southern African societies. Full article

19 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paradigms, Terminology, and Exegesis: Toward the Nonsupersessionist Reading of the New Testament

by Henri Louis Goulet

Religions 2025, 16(7), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070868 - 4 Jul 2025

Abstract

Interpretation of the New Testament (NT) in general and the Pauline corpus in particular still appears to be at a crossroads. Scholars continue to publish articles and monographs in binary opposition to one another. The terminology used to designate the overarching perspectives of [...] Read more.

Interpretation of the New Testament (NT) in general and the Pauline corpus in particular still appears to be at a crossroads. Scholars continue to publish articles and monographs in binary opposition to one another. The terminology used to designate the overarching perspectives of these binary publications sharply contrasts a “traditional” perspective (Protestant in general, and Lutheran in particular) with a variously named “new” or “radical new” perspective. Most recently, beyond the imprecise “new” terminology, the non-traditional perspective is being referred to as the “post-supersessionist”, “nonsupersessionist”, or “within Judaism” perspective and is still strongly being contested. Historically speaking, these antithetical perspectives cannot both be completely correct. Arguably, then, the time has come to explore what the study of Kuhnian paradigms might reveal about this state of affairs in NT scholarship. Most important, in proffering a twofold hermeneutical way forward that is focused on better understanding the emic perspective of the texts that we interpret—to the extent humanly possible—it is hoped that we might become more keenly aware of the ethical implications of our paradigms, terminology, and exegesis for those who rely on our work for their understanding and appropriation of the Scriptures in their everyday living. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reading New Testament Writings through Non-supersessionist Lenses)

19 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Twentieth-Century Changes in Catholic Liturgy and the Place of Truth in Religious Culture: A Discussion with Chantal Delsol

by Tomasz Dekert

Religions 2025, 16(7), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070867 - 3 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article explores the transformative changes in Catholic liturgy during the twentieth century and their implications for the stability of religious meaning and cultural identity in the West. In critical dialogue with Chantal Delsol’s diagnosis of the decline of Christianitas, this study [...] Read more.

This article explores the transformative changes in Catholic liturgy during the twentieth century and their implications for the stability of religious meaning and cultural identity in the West. In critical dialogue with Chantal Delsol’s diagnosis of the decline of Christianitas, this study argues that the reform of ritual following the Second Vatican Council, rather than political entanglements, played a decisive role in weakening the public credibility of Catholic truth claims. Drawing on Roy A. Rappaport’s theory of ritual as a stabilizer of cultural meaning, the author analyzes how this postconciliar liturgical reform altered the semiotic structure of Catholic worship—shifting communication from indexical to symbolic forms and reorienting the liturgy from a vertical–concentric order to a more decentralized horizontal dynamic. The chosen method combines theoretical reflection with liturgical anthropology to assess how changes in the Roman Missal, ritual posture, and spatial arrangement disrupted the transmission of canonical messages. The conclusion suggests that this semiotic transformation undermined the liturgy’s capacity to ritually confirm the truths of faith, contributing to the broader civilizational disintegration observed by Delsol. Ultimately, this article contends that any future revitalization of Catholic culture will depend less on political influence and more on recovering the liturgy’s ritual capacity to sustain belief in transcendent truth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)

15 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Theologies of Money: Religious Leaders’ Use of Stewardship, Its Strengths, and Limitations

by David P. King, Mark Sampson and Brad R. Fulton

Religions 2025, 16(7), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070866 - 3 Jul 2025

Abstract

Questions of finance and economic models are vital for congregational leaders to consider, but they are too often overlooked in research and practice. While we argue that the explicit attention to budgets and balance sheets should be a focus of both congregational researchers [...] Read more.

Questions of finance and economic models are vital for congregational leaders to consider, but they are too often overlooked in research and practice. While we argue that the explicit attention to budgets and balance sheets should be a focus of both congregational researchers and religious leaders, we would also argue that these topics are embedded in congregational life as practices and cultures of giving that are likewise rooted in theologies of money. To examine the theologies of money religious leaders rely on in shaping their views of receiving, managing, and spending resources, our study analyzes the qualitative data of 82 clergy interviews from the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices (NSCEP). We find that the language of “stewardship” continues to dominate, and we consider how this language has both shaped and masked congregations’ current and future engagement with money matters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Congregational Engagement and Leadership)

12 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba: Historical and Theological Issues in the First Book of Kings and in the Paintings of Piero della Francesca

by Emanuelle Pastore and Laura de Fuccia Lederer

Religions 2025, 16(7), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070865 - 3 Jul 2025

Abstract

The first book of Kings succinctly evokes—in only thirteen verses—the mysterious figure of a queen who came from the distant land of Sheba to test Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kgs 10.1–13). Who would have predicted that this modest episode celebrating the glory of the [...] Read more.

The first book of Kings succinctly evokes—in only thirteen verses—the mysterious figure of a queen who came from the distant land of Sheba to test Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kgs 10.1–13). Who would have predicted that this modest episode celebrating the glory of the ancient kings of Jerusalem would be so popular? The episode has spread far beyond the boundaries of the two Testaments, notably in painting. Piero della Francesca’s fresco cycle in Arezzo is a fine example in this respect. Inspired by the Golden Legend, the Florentine painter recreates the scenes of the discovery of the true Cross. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba meet against the backdrop of the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Whether intra- or extra-biblical, ancient or modern, rereading of the original episode reveals issues that are as much historical as they are theological. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interpreting the Bible: Re-Reading Texts, Characters, and Images from Scripture)

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26 pages, 1192 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Religion as a Political Instrument: Comparing State Assimilationist Strategies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan

by Shakir Ullah, Ali Abbas and Usman Khan

Religions 2025, 16(7), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070864 - 3 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study explores the role of religion as a state-promoted tool for political assimilation in Pakistan’s border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The study is based on five phases of fieldwork (2016–2024) combined with a thematic literature review. The research explores [...] Read more.

This study explores the role of religion as a state-promoted tool for political assimilation in Pakistan’s border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The study is based on five phases of fieldwork (2016–2024) combined with a thematic literature review. The research explores how religious strategies were deployed to forge a unified national identity in these regions. The findings reveal significant disparities in the effectiveness of these strategies. In KP, historical factors, cultural alignment, and geopolitical influences—particularly the Afghan conflict—largely facilitated the integration of Pashtun identity into Pakistan’s broader Islamic-national framework. Tools such as madrassa networks, education reforms, religious slogans, and state-backed Islamist parties effectively promoted religious nationalism. In contrast, religious assimilation efforts in Balochistan largely failed due to entrenched ethnic nationalism, economic exclusion, and political marginalization. Attempts to expand madrassas, delegitimize nationalist leaders as “anti-Islamic,” and support religious movements have been met with resistance, deepening distrust between the Baloch population and the state. The study found that religion alone cannot sustain national cohesion, particularly in regions with longstanding grievances and systemic inequalities. This research emphasizes the limitations of top-down, coercive assimilationist policies and underscores the necessity for more inclusive approaches, such as addressing economic disparities, recognizing regional identities, and promoting political participation as essential components for building a sustainable and unified nation. The study provides critical insights for policymakers, advocating for a shift from religious assimilation to strategies that prioritize justice, equity, and cultural accommodation, particularly in KPK and Balochistan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion as a Political Instrument)

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14 pages, 269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago as a Path to Repair: Morally Grounded Self-Actualization and Prosocial Value Shifts

by Snežana Brumec

Religions 2025, 16(7), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070863 - 3 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study investigates how the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage influences personal value systems and self-actualization in the context of late modernity, where individualism and instrumental rationality often constrain moral and communal development. Drawing on Schwartz’s value theory and Kaufman’s scale of self-actualization, we [...] Read more.

This study investigates how the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage influences personal value systems and self-actualization in the context of late modernity, where individualism and instrumental rationality often constrain moral and communal development. Drawing on Schwartz’s value theory and Kaufman’s scale of self-actualization, we conducted an online survey of 500 pilgrims to examine self-reported value changes following the pilgrimage. Factor analyses tested whether these changes aligned with theoretical value structures and how they related to self-actualization. The findings suggest that pilgrimage fosters a shift from self-enhancement toward self-transcendence, with self-direction aligning more closely with universalism and benevolence—indicating a socially oriented form of autonomy. Increases in self-actualization correlate positively with self-transcendence values (universalism and benevolence), self-direction, and conservation values (tradition, conformity, and security) while showing negative associations with power and achievement. The pilgrimage experience appears to realign values toward altruism, moral engagement, and sustainability. By integrating personal growth with ethical and communal orientations, the Camino de Santiago emerges as a meaningful context for multidimensional repair. In this way, the pilgrimage can be understood as a journey of repair—mending value hierarchies fractured by late modern life and restoring a sense of belonging, care, and transcendent purpose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pilgrimages of Repair: Journeys to Return, Rebuild and Restore)

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