Estonia is often described as one of the most secularised countries in the world in terms of de-institutionalisation and de-Christianisation. Old Religion, New Spirituality: Implications of Secularisation and Individualisation in Estonia, edited by Riho Altnurme, starts with the question: what are the historical reasons for Estonia to be so secularised? The decisive factor in the diminishment in the importance of Christianity was the overlap between social classes and ethnicities. The national identity of Estonians became disconnected to any religion.
Second, what are the consequences? How are the secularity of Estonia and the picture of individualised religiosity in this country linked? This book provides fresh results from surveys, archival work and analysis by a group of Estonian researchers.
Contributors include: Riho Altnurme, Lea Altnurme, Priit Rohtmets, Indrek Pekko, Toomas Schvak, Ringo Ringvee, Alar Kilp, and Marko Uibu.
Acknowledgements
List of Tables and Maps
Notes on Contributors
1Introduction
Riho Altnurme
2The History of the Marginalisation of Christianity in Estonia (18572017)
Lea Altnurme
3The Lutheran Church in Estonian Society: The Impact of Secularisation and
Religious Change
Priit Rohtmets, Indrek Pekko, and Riho
Altnurme
4The Orthodox Church in Estonia: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives in
the Context of the 2011 Population and Housing Census
Toomas Schvak
5Secular Society, Secular State: Egalitarian Legislation on Religion?
Ringo Ringvee
6The Influence of the European Unions Liberal Secularist Policy on Religion
upon Religious Authority in Estonia Since 2004
Alar Kilp
7The Religious Turn in Estonia: Modern Self-understanding in a Flood of
Esotericism
Lea Altnurme
8The Spiritual Milieu in Estonia: Challenges and Opportunities for Studying
Contemporary Forms of Religion
Marko Uibu
9Similarities and Differences between Estonia and the Other Most Secular
Countries
Riho Altnurme
Conclusion
Riho Altnurme
References
Index
Riho Altnurme, Ph.D. (2000), University of Tartu, is Professor of Church History at that university. He has published articles and edited volumes on society, state and churches in the contemporary history of Estonia, including History of Estonian Ecumenism (University of Tartu, 2009).
