Religious Changes and Challenges in the Wake of Increasing Global Migration

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 September 2025) | Viewed by 4184

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sociology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: sociology of religion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sociology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: nonleftist critique of political economy; relations between human species and technology; artificial intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The title of this Special Issue, which concerns religious changes and challenges in times of global migration, indicates the need for a wide range of different approaches and analyses concerning religious, sociological, theological, political, and historical domains, among others.

Data on global migration clearly illustrate the changing demographics of the present day. Famines, droughts, earthquakes, armed conflicts, and the decline in democratic standards for basic human rights have led to an increasing number of migrants on a global scale. Consequently, this has led to religion-based challenges and confrontations, because one of the most important qualitative consequences of these demographic changes is the increasing plurality of local and global religious spheres. This plurality emphasizes the need for an academic (as well as public) discussion on how religious changes and challenges can be supported and managed in the increasingly precarious situation that results from religious pluralism.

The sociologist Peter Berger, once known as a staunch advocate of the secularization thesis, formulated a theory of religious pluralism. According to Berger, it is religious pluralism—and not religious decline—that is the most important consequence of modernity as concerns religion. In line with Berger’s theory, we can largely identify the double pluralism of today's societies—the coexistence of religions and both religious and secular discourses and practices.

We believe that academic discussion on religious changes and challenges should stem from this double pluralism theory. There are two main questions to be answered: First, how do specific religious actors—institutions—understand religious changes and challenges? Second, how does the state take an active role in accordance with basic provisions of secularism and/or laicism?

Religions are not ahistorical social entities. For example, Christians migrating to the Global North are not solely “Christian”. The Christianity of the Global South, especially of the charismatic variety, fundamentally differs in some aspects from the Christianity of the Global North. Therefore, how do religious actors reconcile fundamental doctrinal and practical differences within their own ranks? Additionally, how does the state ensure that both the public and itself are sufficiently informed about these differences? In other words, society's approach to religious education requires both intra- and inter-religious awareness between secular and religious actors.

Many challenges require many discussions, and therefore we hope to receive a variety of original academic contributions to this Special Issue.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors (anja.zalta@ff.uni-lj.si and primoz.krasovec@ff.uni-lj.si) or to the Assistant Editor of Religions (zena.zeng@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purpose of ensuring their proper fit within the scope of this Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Anja Zalta
Dr. Primož Krašovec
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • religious changes
  • religious challenges
  • religious conflicts
  • secularism
  • post-secularism
  • religious policies
  • state policies
  • religious plurality
  • migration
  • religious literacy
  • new religious movements
  • intrareligious and interreligious differences

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

17 pages, 295 KB  
Article
Religion, Migration, and the Far-Right: How European Populism Frames Religious Pluralism
by Damjan Mandelc
Religions 2025, 16(9), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16091192 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 765
Abstract
This article examines how populist radical right parties (PRR) in three contrasting European contexts—Slovenia, France, and Poland—strategically instrumentalize Christianity within their anti-immigration agendas. Rather than using religion as a matter of faith, these parties recast Christianity as a cornerstone of national and European [...] Read more.
This article examines how populist radical right parties (PRR) in three contrasting European contexts—Slovenia, France, and Poland—strategically instrumentalize Christianity within their anti-immigration agendas. Rather than using religion as a matter of faith, these parties recast Christianity as a cornerstone of national and European identity, positioning it in opposition to Islam and non-European migration. The study argues that such instrumentalization serves not only to construct a religiously defined national identity, but also to legitimize exclusionary policies. By analyzing selected political speeches, party manifestos, and media discourse, we explore how far-right actors frame Islam as incompatible with European values, reinforcing the division between “Christian Europe” and “foreign non-Christian migrants.” Drawing on recent scholarship on civilizational populism and religious boundary-making, we further assess how processes of globalization and European integration have been interpreted by populist parties to fuel anti-immigrant sentiment. Methodologically, we employ qualitative content analysis to identify recurring themes and rhetorical strategies, with a focus on the intersection of religion, nationalism, and migration. The findings contribute to debates on religious pluralism in contemporary Europe, shedding light on how far-right populism reframes pluralism and challenges secular principles across different political and cultural settings. Full article
15 pages, 277 KB  
Article
Securitization, Humanitarianism, and the Religious Dimension of European Migration Policy
by Tjaša Učakar
Religions 2025, 16(9), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16091190 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 683
Abstract
This article critically examines the evolution of EU migration policy discourse from 1989 to 2024, highlighting the shift from overt securitization to a more humanitarian and managerial framing, which still retains some securitization elements. By analyzing key policy documents, including the Hague and [...] Read more.
This article critically examines the evolution of EU migration policy discourse from 1989 to 2024, highlighting the shift from overt securitization to a more humanitarian and managerial framing, which still retains some securitization elements. By analyzing key policy documents, including the Hague and Stockholm Programmes, the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM), and the 2024 Pact on Migration and Asylum, this paper demonstrates how migration has been increasingly framed as a technical and economic issue while still maintaining exclusionary logics. Although humanitarian language has softened, policy goals remain focused on containment, selective inclusion, and externalizing responsibility. The second part of the article explores the religious aspect of EU migration policy, arguing that, despite the formal secularism of EU institutions, religious identity, particularly Islam, is implicitly intertwined with discourses of risk, cultural incompatibility, and integration. Drawing on Peter Berger’s theory of pluralism, the paper highlights a fundamental tension between the EU’s normative claims to diversity and its implicit preference for secular Christian frameworks. The analysis examines pathways for integrating religious consultation into EU governance and its potential to address the persistent marginalization of religion as a factor in inclusion and political agency. By linking migration discourse to the often-overlooked role of religion, this article calls for a more coherent, pluralist-informed EU strategy for migration and integration. Full article
18 pages, 259 KB  
Article
Religious Pluralism and Identity Among Descendants of Bosnian Migrants in Slovenia
by Ana Ješe Perković
Religions 2025, 16(7), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070911 - 16 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 572
Abstract
This article examines the religious practices of descendants of Bosnian migrants in Slovenia, a country that stands out as one of the most secular in Europe. While Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its complex religious pluralism, where religious institutions play a crucial [...] Read more.
This article examines the religious practices of descendants of Bosnian migrants in Slovenia, a country that stands out as one of the most secular in Europe. While Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its complex religious pluralism, where religious institutions play a crucial role in nation-building, Slovenia presents a contrasting context of secularization. Applying Peter Berger’s theory of religious pluralism, which suggests that pluralism weakens traditional religious authority, this study explores how descendants of Bosnian migrants navigate their religious identities in a secular environment. Although their identities have been shaped by the Yugoslav wars and the post-war redefinition of ethnicity through religion, younger generations are also influenced by broader social processes in Slovenia, including secularization, integration, and exposure to multiple belief systems. Using a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured interviews, this case study investigates the preservation and transformation of religious traditions among Bosnian migrant descendants and how these practices influence their identity. The findings highlight how migration and adaptation to a different socio-cultural environment shape religious practices across generations, contributing to broader discussions on religious choice, identity, and pluralism in contemporary societies. Full article

Other

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 519 KB  
Essay
AI as a Buddhist Self-Overcoming Technique in Another Medium
by Primož Krašovec
Religions 2025, 16(6), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060669 - 23 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1301
Abstract
Buddhist soteriology presents a discovery of a paradox at the very heart of the “human condition”. To reach awakening, one has to relinquish central tenets of what makes us human (in conventional understanding), such as mind and self, meaning that the process of [...] Read more.
Buddhist soteriology presents a discovery of a paradox at the very heart of the “human condition”. To reach awakening, one has to relinquish central tenets of what makes us human (in conventional understanding), such as mind and self, meaning that the process of awakening is necessarily at the same time also a process of self-overcoming that shatters everything ordinarily understood as human and leaves it behind. In this sense, various strands of Buddhism come close to some contemporary neuroscience’s deconstruction of the self and its counterintuitive insights about the mind and intelligence. The main thesis of the present essay is that Buddhism exposes the limits of human intelligence and why it is so ill fitted to becoming awakened, especially when compared to machine intelligence. Unburdened by the organic substrate and the resulting desire and attachment, artificial intelligence (AI) might be a solution to an ancient Buddhist paradox of how the human can be overcome by human means. Full article
Back to TopTop