engleski

A Niche in Post-Conflict Space: The Development of the Baptist Church as a "Middle option" for Serbs in the Banovina Region, Croatia

One of the observable aspects of social change during the transition period in most post-socialist countries was the revival of religion. Resurgence of churches accompanied national revival and, as several scholars showed, in some countries was connected with growing post-socialist nationalisms. This paper focuses on the development of different - trans-national - religious options in the area of ethnic conflict by presenting the case study of post-war growth of the Baptist Church in Banovina region in Croatia. Research results are founded on half-structured interviews with church representatives and members. The authors come to the conclusion that the post-war expansion of the Baptist Church in Banovina region was based on 3 factors: a) It was grounded on an already existing historical tradition of the Baptist Church in this region and on myths and memories activated in war and post-war period. b) The Baptist Church made available a middle “ trans-national” option in ethnically mixed areas and attracted by that those who were searching a niche of neutrality in an ethnically strongly divided conflict region. c) Considerable humanitarian work and help of organisations related to the Baptist Church during and after the war not only added to its image elements of existential shelter in the eyes of many people in need, but also brought the church out of the shadow and made it more “ visible” thereby improving its former perception as an obscure sect.

Niche; Baptists; Church; Banovina

nije evidentirano