Subcultures and New Religious Movements in Russia and East-Central EuropeGeorge McKay The collapse of communism has opened up Russia and East-Central Europe to outside influences and enabled new lifestyle choices and forms of religious expression. Based on extensive ethnographic research, this collection uses a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodologies to examine some of the many subcultures and new religious movements that have emerged as part of this process, from members of utopian eco-communities, native-language hip-hoppers and nationalistic skinheads to various forms of Indian-inspired spirituality, neo-paganism and theosophy. Whether they reflect a growing sense of national or ethnic identity, the influence of globalization or a combination of the two, such groups highlight the challenge of creating a free, open and tolerant society in both Russia and new or prospective EU member states. The book seeks to contribute to academic and policy debates in this area by increasing understanding of the groups in question. The studies in this collection present selected findings from the three-year EU-funded project 'Society and Lifestyles: Towards Enhancing Social Harmonization through Knowledge of Subcultural Communities' (2006-2008), which included partners from a wide range of post-communist countries in Eastern Europe and from the UK. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 3 |
CHAPTER | 15 |
CHAPTER | 33 |
CHAPTER THREE | 61 |
CHAPTER FOUR | 87 |
CHAPTER FIVE | 111 |
CHAPTER | 125 |
CHAPTER SEVEN | 141 |
INTRODUCTION | 211 |
CHAPTER | 227 |
CHAPTER ELEVEN | 253 |
CHAPTER TWELVE | 305 |
CHAPTER THIRTEEN | 339 |
CHAPTER FOURTEEN | 365 |
CHAPTER FIFTEEN | 393 |
Notes on Contributors | 421 |
Common terms and phrases
according activities appearance approach associated attitudes become believe called Centre chapter Chris Christianity church concept connected considered contemporary context Cossack countries culture described discussed Eastern environment ethnic Euro-Indians Europe European example existence experience explained expression fact Fieldwork followers freedom global hip-hop human ideas identity important Indian individual influence interest International interview Islam issues knowledge Krasnodar Latvian leaders lifestyle Lithuanian Living means meetings movement Muslim nationalist negative neo-paganism NRMs organizations origin pagan participants particular political popular position practices present Press question Rakvere reason referred religion religious representatives respondents result Roerich rules Russian seen skinhead Slovak Slovakia social society Soviet spirituality style subculture symbols tion traditional understanding University values various views Vorkuta Western Yoga young youth