Latent Clericalization of State–Religion Relations in Belarus: Forms and Prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37482/2687-1505-V172Keywords:
latent clericalization, state–religion relations, Belarus, concordat model, post-secular state of society, “inertia of secularity” scenario, “smooth clericalization” scenario, “avalanche-like clericalization”, scenarioAbstract
“Religious renaissance” in post-industrial society leads to the clericalization of state–religion relations as an expansion of influence of one or several religious associations. Along with explicit clericalization, there is latent clericalization, which is the result of the action of public life events and processes that are neutral in relation to religion’s position in the state. The purpose of this article was to identify the forms of latent clericalization and to understand its prospects in the context of the development of state–religion relations in Belarus. The research is relevant due to the territorial and cultural proximity of this country to Russia. The paper identifies three forms of latent clericalization in Belarus: involvement of traditional denominations in countering destructive non-traditional cults on the basis of the religiously neutral concept of spiritual security; inclusion in Belarus’ Constitution of the religiously neutral concept of “spiritual heritage” and filling the latter with clerical content in the pertinent law; gradual expansion of influence of the Orthodox Church by increasing the number of theologists in the sphere of education. To assess the prospects for latent clericalization, three scenarios of the development of state–religion relations in Belarus are considered: smooth clericalization, inertia of secularity, and avalanche-like clericalization. The scenario of smooth clericalization is based on the mechanisms of latent clericalization and can provide a gradual transition to the concordat model. The scenario of inertia of secularity is characterized by preservation of the secular society; transition to the concordat model within its framework is impossible. The scenario of avalanche-like clericalization provides a rapid transition to the concordat model as a result of abrupt changes in the socio-economic or political situation. The author ranged these scenarios in descending order in terms of probability of their implementation in Belarus: inertia of secularity – smooth clericalization – avalanche-like clericalization. The peculiarities of the dynamics of religiosity among the population and ethno-confessional relations in Belarus give grounds for predicting low efficiency of latent clericalization and low probability of transition to the concordat model in the immediate future.
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