engleski

Is there emergence of anti-cult movement in Croatia?

Despite the fact that the largest number of citizens belongs to Catholic Church (87%), in Croatia there is still a diverse and dynamic minority (alternative) religious life. For example 46 religious communities are socially recognized and legally regulated part of Croatian religious reality while at least that much, more or less visible religious and spiritual communities exist. The increase of new forms of religiosity manifests in numerous new religious groups and movements which can be visible to a certain extent in a public sphere. Regarding experiences in numerous countries concerning anti-cult movements, in Croatia there have been no systematic anti-cult or counter-cult movements until recent times when two non-governmental associations have appeared – Guardian Angels and Centre for Information on Sects and Cults (CISK). Therefore the main goal of this paper is to explore the beginnings of the development of anti-cult movement in a Croatian society which is characterized by a distinct mono-confessional religious situation. For the purpose of exploration of anti-cult development and due to fact of the existence of only two afore mentioned organizations, a case- study research is undertaken where historical overview, analysis of documents and internet content (web pages, blogs, forums, etc.) and in-depth interviews are used as the methods of data gathering.

New religious movements; anti-cult movement; counter-cult movements; Croatia

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