A study of the legitimate basis and manifestation of religious representations in contemporary Denmark

The impact of individualisation and globalisation also leads to changes in the world of religions. In modern society, the focus on the individual is unparalleled in history, and fundamental narratives are deconstructed in countless ways and meanings. Likewise, religious authorities are subject to new conditions and have to operate in a new framework, giving rise to different religious expressions. Traditional religion is transformed and challenged by new religions and immigrant religions in a multicultural and multireligious reality.

It is the aim of this project to investigate how a changed view of authority has influenced religion in today’s Denmark. It will focus on religion inside and outside its institutions and on the majority religion (the people’s church Folkekirken ) as well as on minority religions (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, new religious groups). The hypothesis underlying the project is that societal change has led to a new understanding and use of religious authority, i.e. emphasis on recognising the individual's quest for authenticity rather than tradition. The project topic will be explored through specific sub-projects with a shared theme, such as institutional religion and living religion, rituals, traditions – and their interrelations. Project methods range from interviews and participant observation to text analysis and quantitative studies. The project will primarily focus on individual and group level, but the intention is also to disseminate general insights about the role of religion in modern society.

The questions to be dealt with include:

• How to define – and who gets to define – religion and religiosity?
• Who – and what – has religious authority, and what is the legitimate basis?
• How is the power relationship between leaders and the laity, between organisations and individuals?
• How does official and "solid" religion relate to cultural religiosity and "loose" religion?
• How are religious authority issues unfolded in relation to gender, generation, ethnicity, media and public debate?

Centre for Contemporary Religion is applying for external funding of the project, which, in addition to postdoctoral fellowships and workload reduction for members of the academic staff, also includes the organisation of seminars, visits from guest researchers and research publications. The theme has already been launched with internal contributions and discussions at the Centre’s informal lunch meetings.