engleski

Organized Non-religion/ Atheism vs. Religion in Croatia: Where’s the Rub?

The complex dynamics of non-religion/ atheism on the one hand, and religion, on the other hand in Croatia was shaped by the specific socio-cultural context and historical processes and cannot be reduced merely to the specific contemporary issues that are topics of publicly displayed cultural wars. A particular interest for the (conflict) relationship of non-religion/ atheism and religion was prompted by the emergence of organizations and associations of non-religious persons and atheists which is present in Croatia over the last decade. Activities and appearances in public (e.g. regarding the Atheist Bus Campaign in 2009) imply that non-religious persons in Croatia have a need to protect their rights and interests. In other words, although Croatia is a secular country where freedom of thought and (un)belief is guaranteed by the Constitution, the omnipresence of religion in public life, the media and the educational system as well as hierarchizing of religious communities in the legal documents provides an opportunity for the perception (and the real social position) of inequality and discrimination against the non-religious/ atheists. This paper will seek to identify what are the main points of contention that create boundaries which divide the population regarding (non)religion, (non)religiosity and (a)theism. In order to do so, different methodological approaches will be used: survey among the members of the organizations of non-religious people and atheists and interviews with the leaders of these organizations and with some members.

non-religiosity, atheism, organized forms of non-religiosity/atheism, values, Croatia

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