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Religious freedom is the freedom to have or not to have a religion or belief according to one's personal choice, and the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief, individually or in community with others, in public or in private, in worship, observance, practice and teaching. In this paper we will argue, with reference to a recent case concerning a father and son who were fined for offering religious literature, in a public manifestation of religious freedom, in the form of offering religious materials, cannot be considered street trading, and morover shouldn't be unjustly or unlawfully restricted. The author brings into question a relevant practice of the European Court of Human Rights, according to which the right to manifest one's religion "in community with others" has always been regarded as an essential part of religious freedom, and that the two alternatives "either alone or in community with others" in Article 9 of the Convention cannot be regarded as mutually exclusive or as leaving a choice to the authorities, but only as recognizing that religion may be practiced in either form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of project organizing to an ever-expanding array of industries and sectors has garnered considerable attention in recent decades – particularly in the fields of organization and management studies, but also in sociology and philosophy. Some have characterized this ‘projectification’ as a fulcrum for profound cultural shifts, with ramifications extending beyond the boundaries of management, work life, and organizations. Perspectives have been put forward on projects permeating even the very ways we live our daily lives. The study of religion, however, has remained notably inattentive to such perspectives. In this article, we advocate the importance of studying projectification in the realm of religion. Drawing on examples from the national Lutheran churches of Sweden and Norway, we outline a framework for studying projectification of religion along three analytical trajectories: organizational projectification of religion, projectification as a structuration of religious interaction and adherence, and projectification as a shift in religious discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study exemplifies the use of an institutional-territorial approach for a comprehensive description of a national denominational landscape. The article aims to provide such an account by analysing relevant official data and performing statistical processing using computational tools. The focus is on the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark and its administrative-territorial structures. The study places emphasis on the financial aspect, one seldom discussed in academic discourse. The denominational landscape of Denmark is a multicomponent system, with the National Lutheran Church holding a distinctive legal status as a dominant entity. Its historical and social significance, along with the ability to preserve functions that mirror those of the state, allow the Church of Denmark to maintain its civilisational and culture-building role for the populace, especially the indigenous one. However, Denmark is not exempt from the secular trends prevalent in the Nordic countries. One notable tendency is the decline in adherents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church observed over recent decades. This decline is most evident in the capital region, where the proportion of migrants in the population is higher and daily life is more vibrant than in other areas. Territorial variations in religiously motivated behaviour are evident, with the highest percentages observed in the country’s peripheral regions (despite the overall figures showing a negative trend). These areas also boast the most significant proportion of registered members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Exploring non-Christian religions in Denmark presents a promising avenue for future research.

The article focuses on the development of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) after receiving a Tomоs of Autocephaly. In particular, it briefly describes the structure of the Orthodox environment in Ukraine and distinguishes its key representatives as well as takes account of change in the configuration of the Orthodox map of the country after the formation of the ОCU. Special attention is paid to the institutional development and social activities of the ОCU, which include the formation of its religious network, the transition of parishes from the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) to the jurisdiction of the ОCU, and the establishment of the ОCU administrative and organizational structures. Interfaith dialogue between the ОCU and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) indicates that both churches are ready to jointly revive the Kyiv church tradition. The article also addresses the dynamics of confessional preferences of Ukrainians in the changing religious landscape of the country. The author argues that Ukrainian autocephaly is important for strengthening the humanitarian security of the state, leveling pro-Russian imperial messages in the national information space, as well as for comprehending the structural subordination of the UOC (MP) to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The establishment of the OCU is analyzed in the article not only as a significant achievement in the post-Soviet and post-socialist space in the context of leaving the orbit of the Moscow Patriarchate, but also as an impetus for renegotiating relations in Ecumenical Orthodoxy. Autocephaly enabled the ОCU to become a subject of international church policy, to conduct a direct dialogue with other Orthodox churches, and to apply for participation in representative religious organizations. Recognition of the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine by the Church of Greece, the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa and the Church of Cyprus significantly contributed to the ОCU's progress. The leitmotif of this article is ​​the destructive role of the ROC in Ecumenical Orthodoxy at large and their interference with the recognition of the ОCU by the other orthodox churches in particular. The author concludes that the future prospects of the ОCU will depend on the elaboration and implementation of its own development strategy.

This study focused on the phenomena or dynamics of the struggle for religious ideology that occur in the educational institutions (SMP/MTs and SMA/MA) of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama in East Java. Therefore, this study sought to see the internalization of the religious ideological values of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama in their education systems. Especially, when looking at clashes of religious thought that contain other ideologies (such as transnational (Salafi, Wahabi, and Shia), conservative/traditional, and reformist/modernist ideologies). This study used a qualitative approach and techniques for data collection used participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies. The data analysis used the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana model consisting of four stages, namely, data collection, data condensation, data display, and conclusion. This study found that the educational institutions of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama have paradigmatic similarities, namely, ideology is positioned and functionalized as the motive and legitimacy of their educational actions and religious privileges. The expanding opportunities for dissemination and reproduction of other ideologies in their educational institutions are due to the very open nature of their religious understanding (Muhammadiyah has an understanding of Islamic Manhaji, and Nahdlatul Ulama has an understanding of Islamic Mahzabi). Riset ini memfokuskan pada fenomena atau dinamika pergulatan ideologi keagamaan yang terjadi di kelembagaan pendidikan (SMP/MTs dan SMA/MA) Muhammadiyah dan Nahdlatul Ulama di propinsi Jawa Timur. Karenanya, riset ini berupaya melihat internalisasi nilai-nilai ideologis keagamaan Muhammadiyah dan Nahdlatul Ulama dalam sistem kependidikannya. Terutama ketika melihat benturan-benturan pemikiran keagamaan yang memuat ideologi lain (seperti ideologi transnasional (salafi, wahabi, dan syi’ah), konservatif/tradisional, dan reformis/modernis). Riset ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data memakai observasi partisipasi, wawancara mendalam; dan studi dokumentasi. Analisis datanya memakai model Miles, Huberman, dan Saldana yang terdiri dari empat tahap, yaitu: koleksi data, kondensasi data, display data, dan kesimpulan. Riset ini menemukan, kelembagaan pendidikan Muhammadiyah dan Nahdlatul Ulama memiliki persamaan paradigmatik, yaitu: ideologi diposisikan dan difungsionalisasikan sebagai motif serta legitimasi tindakan kependidikan dan privelege keberagamaan mereka. Pembentangan peluang diseminasi dan reproduksi ideologi lain di kelembagaan pendidikan mereka, disebabkan sifat pemahaman keagamaan mereka yang sangat terbuka (Muhammadiyah berpahaman Islam Manhaji, dan Nahdlatul Ulama memiliki pemahaman Islam mazhabi).

Although the parish church is a frequent concept in domestic medievalist literature, it remains mainly within the framework of somewhat stereotypical ideas about the development of church organisation. Absent is a deeper reflection on what the parish church and the parish meant or could have meant in the different sections of the medieval period. At the same time, this is an interdisciplinary problem that affects art-historical research in many ways. The following text aims to offer a stimulus to such reflection. The first part of the paper outlines a brief view of the parish church as an institution that has been the subject of a long journey of historical development but which, despite its fundamental influence on the lives of people of all social groups, remained without a generally binding ecclesiastical-legal definition until the publication of the Code of Canon Law in 1983. The second part focuses on the issue of parish and branch churches. Many of these needed a justifying cause for their establishment, which most often was the long journey to an existing parish church. Specific examples are used to illustrate the highly differentiated functional content and interrelationships of the churches forming the so-called lower church organisation, i.e., the parish system. The intention is to show that this differentiated functional content is combined with an undefined period terminology, which ultimately also influences the archaeological and architectural-historical interpretations of the individual objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very few studies explicitly, let alone quantitatively, examine gaps in religious intolerance among individual Muslims based on a!liation with major Muslim organizations in Indonesia. Most existing studies either focus on a single organization (non-comparative), are at the organizational policy level (not examining individual attitudes), or use a limited number of samples in their analysis. Against this backdrop, this study compares Indonesian Muslims' levels of religious intolerance based on their a!liation with Muslim organizations or traditions: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, and other organizations. We utilize a large-scale household survey, the 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey-5, and run an ordinal logistic regression to identify organizations' rank on the religious intolerance scale. We find that Muslims without any a!liation with a Muslim organization (some 18 percent of Indonesian Muslims) are the most tolerant. Against this reference group, we find that NU followers are generally the most tolerant, followed by those a!liated with Muhammadiyah, and those a!liated with other Muslim organizations. This finding adds a stock of knowledge to our understanding of religion and society, especially regarding interfaith relations in Indonesia and in the Muslim world in general. Methodologically, this study also shows the benefit and feasibility of identifying the dynamic of religious intolerance using a quantitative approach at a micro level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Banyuwangi anti-mining movement clearly has the capacity to grow, this article argues that the movement's manoeuvres against PT. BSI seem to have become weaker since 2017. The article seeks to explain how the interests of the internal groups within this local social movement have weakened its position and how religious-nationalist organizations, that is, the NU and its affiliates, have manoeuvred to defend the state and the corporation indirectly. The data have been qualitatively collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD s), and relevant documentary sources. By using the Gramscian concept of hegemony, this article shows that the decline of the anti-mining movement is related to the agenda-setting of individuals and subgroups in the movement, as well as the ability of religious-nationalist pro-mining groups, such as the NU and its affiliates, to use their influence, legitimacy, and ideological rhetoric to this end, combined with some social and political characteristics of East Javanese society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of our researchers present an academic article that demonstrates a scientific approach to the issue of freedom of religion and non-religion, consider the history, values, features and roles of traditional religions in a different way, and study the experience of foreign countries that regulate this issue, such as government policy on religion and related legal issues. the importance of reflection in document development. In this article, we highlight the importance of relying on scientific research in religious studies when the government approaches the issue of freedom of religion or non-religion, the consequences of the repression of Mongolian traditional religion, the loss of spiritual traditions of Mongolians, and the fact that the government supports traditional religion and develops a strong society without violating the universal human right declarations on the example of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this study is the contemporary condition of legal policy in the field of state-confessional relations in the Russian Federation. The purpose of this article is a theoretical analysis of the contemporary condition of legislation in the field of state-confessional relations and evaluation of prospects of its further development. Revival of religion, increase in the number of religious organizations in the Russian society are objective factors that actualize the necessity to determine the correct vector of legal policy in confessional area, to improve legislation in the sphere of regulation of state-confessional relations, and to provide conditions for a legal dialogue between government and confessional institutions.

Introduction. The relevance of foreign confessional and regional studies is due to the influence of the religious factor on mentality, traditions, and culture of the population, as well as on the legal, social and economic components of society, which determines the specifics of the development of international relations. The objective of the study is to expand and introduce into scientific circulation the approaches and methods of applying scientific tools for research in the field of foreign confessional space. Materials and Methods. Data from financial reports of foreign religious organizations were used as the research materials. Basing on these and employing mathematical and statistical methods, the initial data were processed, which made it possible to identify territorial features as well as the specifics of economic and social activities within the confessional space of countries considered and religions widespread in them. Results. The study conducted made it possible to identify the specifics of comprehensive foreign research in the field of confessional space, which has been objectified into a scientific direction promising for further development. Great opportunities in the study of confessional space open up when adopting institutional and territorial as well as religion and landscape based approaches taking into account the specifics of the initial factual and statistical information available at the present stage. The former approach is more recommended for countries and regions where Christianity with a rigid territorial structure dominates, and the latter – for cases where the role of territorial setup is not significant for the functioning of religious organizations. Discussion and Conclusion. Further development of Confessional Foreign Regional Studies should be based on the strengthening of interdisciplinary linkages and the adoption of mathematical and statistical research methods. The results of the study can be used in the context of interfaith contacts, which are increasing in importance. Consideration of the models of functioning of the confessional space of foreign countries is advisable when developing a strategy for the development of the state-religion relations in the Russian Federation, and can also be taken into account by leaders of religious organizations represented in Russia.

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The purpose of this research is to analyse the definition of religion and religious organization in the U.S. legal system, as well as the relationship - or lack of a relationship - between such a definition and the principles that shape the U.S. constitutional model: the religious neutrality of public powers, and the separation between the State and religious organizations. To this end, the paper explores the decisions of the federal Supreme Court in contexts where it was necessary to determine the meanings of religion and religious organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Yiguan Dao spreads to other countries, it also brings along its management mechanism developed in Taiwan. Meanwhile, it has to face different political-social-cultural contexts and various development stages of religious organizations. The purpose of this study is to discuss how Yiguan Dao coordinates global appropriation and local adaption to maintain a balance between the external social circumstances and its inner Yiguan Dao members in Thailand. I tackle the issue from the sociological perspective of religion to examine the tension and development of religious organizations. On the one hand, Yiguan Dao uses a state-promoted education of "morality" to reduce its conflicts with the Buddhists in Thai society -- a pattern evolved from its experiences in Taiwan, China and Singapore. On the other hand, as it alleviates its tensions with Thai society, Yiguan Dao also incurs discrepancies among its members. The emergent new middle class constitutes the foundation of Yiguan Dao members in Thailand. As opposed to "morality" they place more importance on the value of symbolic "order." With this analysis, I argue that to study the pattern of religious development and tension, one must pay close attention to global influences and individual socio-cultural contexts. Though the state mechanism of Thailand is different from that of Taiwan, China, or Singapore, the Yiguan Dao in Thailand applies a global pattern to accommodate with the Thai state, and uses it to resolve its conflicts with Thai society. In addition, the discrepancies within religious organizations that grow out of this social tension-easing process must also be identified through the cultural symbolic aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study is to identify antecedent and consequent factors of loyalty to a religious organization. The study is based on the theory of planned behavior, which is designed to identify which variables antecede the individual's behavior of being loyal to a religious organization and have the constructs intrapersonal religious commitment and interpersonal religious commitment as constructs that are consequent of an individual's behavior of being loyal to religious organizations. A theoretical model is proposed with the constructs attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, loyalty to a religious organization and interpersonal and intrapersonal religious commitment. Therefore, a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study with 364 respondents was conducted. The study shows that a positive behavioral evaluation, opportunities in performing behavior and intention tend to be factors that influence loyalty behavior; additionally, once loyal, there is a greater likelihood of the individual being committed to his/her beliefs and the practice of those beliefs. Thus, attitude and subjective norms potentially influence commitment to a creed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious radicalism is the trigger for the occurrence of terrorism which is an extraordinary crime and an enemy of all the countries that exist in the world. Since Indonesia as a country has a high vulnerability to religious radicalism, it is important to conduct studies on religious radicalism both nationally and regionally. Knowing the level and potential of religious radicalism is a step for the creation of a comprehensive mechanism of prevention and treatment of religious radicalism. The position of Banyumas as an inter-provincial gateway becomes very strategic for radical groups to spread their ideology and mindset. The ease of inter-regional access underpinned by good supporting facilities and infrastructure is an important point of consideration for radical groups to spread their ideas. Interviews were conducted to obtain data from stakeholders who handle radicalism. the findings were elaborated with supporting literature to provide a more comprehensive result. The results of this study indicate that Banyumas has great potential for the growth and development of religious radicalism, and Banyumas people have high vulnerability to get exposed and influenced by the idea of radicalism caused by factors of religious behavior, geography, culture, technology and information development, and demography. However, so far the level of religious radicalism in Banyumas is still low because there is good cooperation between the stakeholders and the community. Radikalisme agama merupakan pemicu bagi terjadinya terorisme yang merupakan kejahatan luar biasa dan menjadi musuh semua negara yang ada di dunia. Indonesia sebagai negara yang memiliki kerawanan yang tinggi terhadap radikalisme agama penting untuk melakukan kajian-kajian mengenai radikalisme agama baik dalam tingkat nasional maupun regional. Mengetahui tingkat dan potensi radikalisme agama merupakan langkah bagi terciptanya mekanisme pencegahan dan penanganan radikalisme agama yang komprehensif. Posisi Banyumas sebagai pintu gerbang antar provinsi menjadi sangat strategis bagi kelompok-kelompok radikal untuk menyebarkan ideologi dan pola pikirnya. Kemudahan akses antar wilayah yang ditopang dengan kondisi sarana dan prasarana pendukung wilayah yang baik menjadi poin penting pertimbangan bagi kelompok radikal untuk menyebarkan pahamnya. Wawancara dilakukan untuk mendapatkan data dari stakeholder yang menangani radikalisme. Hasil temuan lalu dielabrasi dengan literatur pendukung untuk memberikan gambaran yang lebih komprehensif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Banyumas memiliki potensi besar bagi tumbuh dan berkembangnya radikalisme agama, dan masyarakat Banyumas memiliki kerentanan yang tinggi terpapar dan terpengaruh paham radikalisme yang disebabkan karena faktor perilaku beragama, faktor geografis, faktor kultural, faktor perkembangan teknologi dan informasi, serta faktor demografi. Namun demikian sejauh ini tingkat radikalisme agama di Banyumas masih termasuk rendah. Hal tersebut karena adanya kerjasama penanggulangan yang baik antara stakeholder dan masyarakat.