PLUREL

Pluralism and Religious Freedom in Orthodox Countries in Europe

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'A snapshot of European societies today reveals the importance of religious minority treatment and the grave potential that the latter can carry for instability and even social unrest in a situation of rapidly increasing religious diversity. Most conspicuous are the reactions of Muslim groups against what they perceive to be intolerant majorities, but other (less attended by the mass media) religious minority reactions are no less compelling in localities across Europe. A lack of spaces for worship (and especially of mosques), and other such limitations of religious freedoms form a fundamental aspect of religious minority experiences in Europe. Such limitations of religious freedoms are particularly prominent in Orthodox majority countries in Europe, where poor track records in terms of religious freedoms violations are evident in the disproportionately high number of religious freedoms convictions against Orthodox majority states in the European Court of Human Rights. What is the reason behind this state of affairs? Is there something intrinsic to Orthodoxy as a religious and social institution that makes it intolerant towards minorities? Or are there historical and political particularities in individual Orthodox majority countries that underlie the barriers to religious freedoms in each case? The proposed project seeks to understand and explain limitations of religious freedoms for minority faith groups in majority Orthodox countries in Europe. It will entail systematic, comparative, empirical and interdisciplinary research on the instances and nature of religious rights violations in Orthodox contexts, and on the factors and mechanisms influencing the latter. As such, in policy terms it will contribute to our understanding of the healthy balance point between the principle of subsidiarity, on the one hand and of pluralism, on the other. Further, this study of Orthodox context offers important insights for theories of secularisation and of multiple modernities.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers examined limitations on religious freedom for minority faith groups in European majority Orthodox countries. The outcomes offer hope for better attitudes and practices.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Religious freedom restrictions seem to be quite prevalent in European countries where Orthodoxy is the dominant religion. Whether or not this is something intrinsic or if it is related to historical or political factors is unclear. Seeking answers is important in a time of rapidly increasing religious diversity, in hope of decreasing instability and social unrest.

PLUREL, an EU-funded project, generated knowledge on this situation. The work stems from the acknowledgement of limitations to religious freedoms in majority Orthodox settings. The study also covered the suggestion that pluralism and Orthodoxy may be contradictory in terms.

Ground work was conducted in four European countries where Orthodoxy is the majority religion: Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Russia. Between 25 and 30 interviews were conducted in each country, spanning the years from 2010 to 2013.

Project members examined attitudes and practices of the religious majority in relation to minority group experiences. Additionally, the project worked to propose possible resolutions to problems via reform at both the national and European level.

One of the main findings elucidates that there is a significant relationship between the Orthodox church national identity. This is a key factor regarding the freedoms and limitations of minority groups. Yet it is evident by the research that there is nothing in the dogma of Orthodoxy itself to frame such restrictions on the minority religion. This raised the question of where exactly such notions stem.

Additional important factors that were found included the circumstances involved in moving from democratic to Communist rule. Social hostility against minority groups was shown to be more prominent in smaller communities. Also evident were the limitations caused by government interference in religious matters.

Research analyses generated a plethora of information. This will be fruitful for future debates regarding plurality and the role of religion in a liberal democracy. Furthermore, the research can contribute to discussions within the context of the European Court of Human Rights.