1985/01/01 by David Kowalewski, Arthur L. Greil · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Religion and Society Interactions #American Constitutional Law and Politics #Soviet and Russian History #Ecumenism #Ambivalence #State (computer science) #Political science #Face (sociological concept) #Sociology #Political economy #Social psychology #Law #Social science #Psychology
paper · doi:10.2307/3710694
openalex publication_date 1985/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
While a good deal of research has focused on religious ecumenical movements in Western societies, far less attention has been devoted to ecumenism in non-Western contexts. Whereas religious groups in the West are generally free to pursue cooperation with other religious bodies, those operating in more repressive contexts face an additional challenge. In officially atheistic polities, the state plays an important role in shaping the character of ecumenical pursuits. The present study examines the impact of the Soviet state on independent efforts by religious bodies to build an ecumenical base. Our findings suggest that in atheistic societies the state operates as an ambivalent force affecting, in both negative and positive directions, the coalescence of ecumenically minded believers. We conclude with some cross-national observations on ecumenical formations.