Regional aspects of religious activity in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

Sociological studies suggest that there is no decline in Central and Eastern European religious activities after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is true, that religion has individualised in some places in the region, but elsewhere there is an increase in traditional church attendance. These trends justify investigations of the effects of religion as a key factor in identity formation.

The study is based on a one-year research on the impact of religious activity on the economies of Central and Eastern Europe. The project contains two main statements about the region: 1. There is a significant negative relationship between religious pluralism and church attendance; 2. Socio-economic indicators at macro level have significant correspondences with religious characteristics: there is an indirect linkage between religious belief and economic development in the region. This study focuses on the regional aspects of the research findings, in particular which forms of capital are accumulated by religious activities and organisations.

By reviewing the most current theories of social capital, the study categorises the ways religion affects the accumulation of territorial capital. It describes the religious characteristics of Central and Eastern Europe and classifies thirteen countries (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) according to religious indicators. The classification shows in which countries religious belief is strong as indicated by active church attendance, which in turn can be used for measuring social capital.

The results of the study strengthen those theories which interpret religious activity as an investment in human and social capital. According to the classification, in Poland and Romania religion could play a key role in the accumulation of social capital because of their strong religious belief and activity. Although further investigations are needed to highlight the direct linkage between the indicators of social capital and religion in the region, this study outlines the main theoretical correlations. Religion generates social capital by adding common norms for the communities, building trust, tolerance and solidarity. At the same time, religious organisations stimulate volunteering and open-handedness in solving social problems. In summary religion in Central and Eastern Europe is a key determinant of national and regional identity, as well as a source of capital accumulation which has a direct impact on the economy.