Christianity and National Identity in Twentieth-Century Europe
Conflict, Community, and the Social Order
Contributor(s)
Wood, John Carter (editor)
Collection
Knowledge Unlatched (KU)Number
100916Language
EnglishAbstract
This collection explores how Christian individuals and institutions combined the topics of faith and national identity in twentieth-century Europe. “National identity” is understood in a broad sense that includes discourses of citizenship, narratives of cultural or linguistic belonging, or “national” characteristics. It considers various geographical contexts, and takes into account processes of cross-national exchange and transfer. It shows how national and denominational identities were often mutually constitutive, at times leading to a strongly exclusionary stance against “other” national or religious groups. In different circumstances, religiously minded thinkers critiqued nationalism, emphasising the universalist strains of their faith, with varying degrees of success. Throughout the century church officials and lay Christians have had to come to terms with the relationship between their national and “European” identities within the processes of Europeanisation.
Keywords
History; Christianity; history of religion; nationalism; 20th-century; Europe; Catholic Church; Martin Niemöller; ProtestantismDOI
10.13109/9783666101496ISBN
9783666101496OCN
1076722514Publisher
Vandenhoeck & RuprechtPublisher website
https://www.vandenhoeck-ruprecht-verlage.com/Publication date and place
2016-09-12Series
Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Europäische Geschichte Mainz,Classification
European history