The State and New Religious Movements

Author(s):  
Masua Sagiv
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ringo Ringvee

The article focuses on the relations between the state , mainstream religions and new religious movements in Estonia from the early 1990s until today. Estonia has been known as one of highly secular and religiously liberal countries. During the last twenty years Estonian religious scene has become considerably more pluralist, and there are many different religious traditions represented in Estonia. The governmental attitude toward new religious movements has been rather neutral, and the practice of multi-tier recognition of religious associations has not been introduced. As Estonia has been following neoliberal governance also in the field of religion, the idea that the religious market should regulate itself has been considered valid. Despite of the occasional conflicts between the parties in the early 1990s when the religious market was created the tensions did decrease in the following years. The article argues that one of the fundamental reasons for the liberal attitude towards different religious associations by the state and neutral coexistence of different traditions in society is that Estonian national identity does not overlap with any particular religious identity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Maria Sergeyevna LAVRRENTIEVA ◽  
Mikhail Mikhailovich TURKIN ◽  
Evgeny Sergeevich KUCHENIN ◽  
Maria Alexandrovna VOLKOVA ◽  
Alla Efratovna ZOLOTAREVA

The research analyzes problems associated with new religious movements in a secular state, using the example of the Russian Federation. It has been established that a state in which religion and the state are separated from each other is recognized as secular. The state and state bodies are separated from the Church and religious associations and do not interfere with their activities. In turn, the latter do not interfere with the activities of the state and state bodies. A secular state implies: the absence of any religious authority over state bodies, the inadmissibility of the performance of any state functions by the Church or its hierarchs; the absence of compulsory religion for public servants and authorities; the state's non-recognition of the legal significance of Church acts and religious rules as sources of law; the state's refusal to finance the expenses of any Church or religious organization. The purpose of this article is to review, define, and comprehensively analyze the legal regulation of new religious movements in Russia, as well as to determine the legal status of these organizations, their activities and relationships with the state and state bodies.


1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Prothero

The status reversal ritual that American religious historiography has undergone in the last two decades has done much to “mainstream” previously taboo topics within the field. Many religious groups once dismissed as odd and insignificant “cults” are now seen as “new religious movements” worthy of serious scrutiny. One subject that has benefited from this reversal of fortunes is theosophy. Thanks to the work of scholars such as Robert Ellwood and Carl Jackson, theosophists are now part of the story of American religion. Exactly what part they are to play in that story remains, however, unclear.


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