Microsoft PowerPoint Exploring Urban Non-Traditional Christian Communities in Baku
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| Religious Diversity Strategies and Non-traditional Christian Communities in Baku: Negotiating Intra Religious identity and intercommunity Solidarity Yuliya Aliyeva March 31, 2023 Non-Muslim religious groups Orthodox Christians, Jews, Krishna, Baha’i, other Christian denominations including Apostolic, Roman Catholic, Alban-Udi and Protestant Churches My focus: Pentecostal Charismatic communities Most of contemporary communities has been established by the foreign missionaries, mainly from the US and Europe in 1990 th All pastors in the Churches are the citizens of Azerbaijan (majority ethnically Azerbaijanis). Spiritual practices: including divine healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues. NTCC as ‘existential threat’ 1. The evaluative dichotomy of “traditional” vs “non-traditional” religions 2. ‘Ethnodoxy’ - interrelatedness of ethnic and religious identities for social cohesion 3. Religion in geopolitics (battle for political and cultural dominance in Azerbaijan). Uneven relationship with the state 1990th - “Golden era” The end of 1990 – beginning of 2000 – restrictions and regulations From 2014 – Politics of “Multiculturalism” Religious pluralism in Baku “Worshiping God in Baku is like drinking water” 15 different churches of Protestant denomination (from theologically conservative to new evangelical groups) Worships are held in Azerbaijani or offered in Russian with simultaneous translation to Azerbaijani. ‘Historical’ Churches in decline, ‘young’ Churches flourish Word of Life Established in 1994 by Swedish missionary Vineyard Church Established in 2013 by Pastor from Azerbaijan Common themes Conversions (how to measure success?) Fluidity of the boundaries The modes of competitiveness of NTCCs not only with the ‘traditional groups’, but also among themselves Celebrating Bible Day in Baku Common themes • Everyday nationalism • Patriotic narratives • Recognition and acceptance by the government • Refutation of the status as ‘socially dangerous’ Conclusion Plurality of the NTCCs signify the changes in attitudes towards the spiritual engagement as personal journey inflicted with the sense of belonging to the specific local and globalized community The case of NTCC in Azerbaijan offers a new insight into the interplay of secularism, religion and modernity in urban environment Challenge for NTCCs recognition in the structurally hostile environment: (1) engagement of intersecting religious and social/cultural identities in struggle for recognition and acceptance, (2) establishment of the horizontal ties foregoing internal differentiations for intra-religious solidarity and mutual support in hostile environment. Thank you! Yüklə 2 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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