Politics and Religion Journal

"Religion and Identity. Political Conditions" edited by Ryszard Michalak. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Verlage, 2023.

Paulina Napierała — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

"Contesting Indonesia: Islamist, Separatist, and Communal Violence since 1945" by Kirsten E. Schulze. Cornell: Cornell University Press, 2024.

Herdi Sahrasad — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

"Geopolitics of Global Catholicism. Politics of Religion in Space and Time" by Petr Kratochvíl. London and New York: Routledge, 2024.

Lena Bojčić — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Restoring the Living Culture of Local Buddhist Heritage in Luang Prabang

Phonchanh Phengphouvanh, Tho Ngoc Nguyen, Thang Quoc Huynh — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Theravada Buddhism holds an important place among the residents of Luang Prabang, Laos. It is the source of a living culture in the UNESCO Heritage City with rapidly developing tourism. However, with the rise of urbanization and tourism, a large part of Luang Prabang’s population moved to the suburbs, while the center has been filled by commerce. Although the state has made unremitting efforts to protect the appearance of the ancient city, this change led to changes in the city’s organic social and cultural structure and seriously damaged the long-standing Buddhist rituals and Buddhist mentality of the local community. The decline of Buddhism in Luang Prabang, if no effective measures are taken to prevent it, will obviously lead to the decline of the city’s cultural life. Preserving and promoting cultural heritage towards sustainable development, as set out by UNDP in 2015 is currently the focus of the city’s tourism development; however, this policy is being applied and implemented unevenly. The replacement of Luang Prabang’s traditional population structure and the new immigrants’ lack of understanding of local Buddhist culture have put part of the city’s living culture at risk of being faded or lost. This study combines literature analysis with field investigation to discuss the current status of Buddhist life in Luang Prabang, especially the morning Tak-bat (alms round) rituals, explore the challenges faced by local Buddhist traditions in the context of demographic changes, and provide scientific and practical basis for better and systematic protection and promotion of the city’s authentic living culture.

The Commodification of the Sacred: Thai Amulets in Contemporary Consumer Culture

Phitak Siriwong, Santipharp Khamsa-ard — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This study explores the transformation of Thai amulets from sacred artifacts into lifestyle products, focusing on four key objectives: (1) examining the evolution of amulet designs influenced by trends, fashion, and consumer preferences; (2) analyzing marketing strategies, including branding, storytelling, and digital distribution; (3) understanding shifting consumer behaviors and expectations within broader cultural changes; and (4) evaluating government perspectives and policies balancing commodification and cultural preservation. A mixed-method approach integrates existential phenomenology and constructivist grounded theory to provide a nuanced understanding of this transformation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 25 participants, including designers, marketers, officials, and consumers; participant observation at amulet markets and on digital platforms like Facebook and TikTok; and document analysis of promotional materials and policies. The findings reveal significant evolution in amulet designs, incorporating minimalist aesthetics, luxury materials, and global fashion influences while retaining traditional motifs. Marketing strategies emphasize storytelling, celebrity endorsements, and social media engagement to reframe amulets as symbols of identity, cultural pride, and spiritual protection. Consumer behavior reflects a shift toward valuing amulets for aesthetic and status-related attributes, alongside spiritual meanings. Government agencies play a dual role in promoting amulets as cultural and economic assets while addressing concerns about preserving their sacredness. This research highlights the interplay between tradition, modernity, and market forces, offering insights into the commodification of cultural artifacts. Thai amulets exemplify how cultural heritage adapts to contemporary consumer demands while maintaining spiritual and cultural significance.

Humanistic or Modern Buddhism? Rethinking of the Modernization of Chinese Buddhism in Malaysia

Teong Chuan Toh — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Humanistic Buddhism was originated in China in the 20th century. It is a form of self-innovation of traditional Chinese Buddhism in the face of new social situations. The Chinese Buddhism in Malaysia were a spreading type of Buddhism, which is the developed form for overseas spread of Chinese Buddhism. In fact, Chinese Buddhism faced different social patterns in the original Chinese and Malaysian societies. How does Chinese Buddhism evolve from traditional Buddhism to humanistic Buddhism in the new society of Malaysia with diverse ethnic groups and religions? This research comprehensively discusses the modernization process of Chinese Buddhism, and then start a new stage of Humanistic Buddhism in Malaysia, especially in West Cost of Malay Peninsula. Firstly, it is expected to discuss about “what is Humanistic Buddhism”, and then follow by “Why do transform into Humanistic Buddhism” in Malaysian society. Finally, based on the existing observations, to sort out the phenomenon of contemporary Buddhist practice of “how many types of Humanistic Buddhism” in Malaysian.

Buddhism and the Masses in Contemporary Southeast Asia: A Comparative Study of the Sun Wukong Belief in Malaysia and Vietnam

Yeun Chai Ku, Hoang Yen Nguyen, Chiu Chun Chuang — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines the cross-cultural transmission and adaptation of the Qi Tian Da Sheng (Sun Wukong) belief among Chinese communities in Malaysia and Vietnam. As Chinese migrants settled in Southeast Asia, they introduced Qi Tian Da Sheng worship, which evolved uniquely in each region. In Malaysia, the deity symbolizes protection and cultural identity through numerous temples and community activities. In Vietnam, Qi Tian Da Sheng has integrated with local Buddhist and folk traditions, especially in the south, where he is revered as a protector and spiritual figure. This comparative analysis highlights how Qi Tian Da Sheng belief has adapted to local environments, demonstrating its significance in preserving cultural heritage and addressing spiritual needs in Southeast Asian Chinese communities.

The “Buddhism into Life” Spirit: The Lotus Pure Land Buddhism at Penglai Mountain in South Vietnam

Hien Thi Thu Phan, Giau Van Truong — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

By applying a systematic, interdisciplinary approach and comparative method, this article focuses on the characteristics, values and influences of “Buddhism into life” spirit of the Lotus Pure Land Buddhism at Penglai Mountain (Liên tông Tịnh độ Non Bồng, LTTĐNB) in Southern Vietnam, evaluating the phenomenon from the perspective of endogenous religions that contribute to inheriting and reviving of Buddhist traditional values to meet the needs of contemporary society.

Charity Work as the Core Religious Practice: A Case Study of Hoahao Buddhism in the Mekong Delta

Thang Van Vo, Hieu Trung Nguyen, Phong Thanh Nguyen — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Hoahao Buddhism in the Mekong Delta was born on the basis of combining Mahayana Buddhism with local ancestor worship and eschatological beliefs originated in southern China, thus extending the family bloodline culture to the society and becoming a special Buddhist sect in southern Vietnam. Hòa Hảo followers build their Buddhist faith on the Dharmaplatform, and the relationship between followers together and with outsiders becomes closer and more comprehensive. Despite the strong influence of the current market economy and the rise of materialism, Hòa Hảo believers still maintain their enthusiasm for social charity, which is most vividly reflected in the core concept of faith and the May 18 festival every year. How do Hoahao believers persist and maintain a spirit of compassion and charitable activities? How do Hoahao believers engage in local socio-political machanisms with such a socialized religious activities? This paper mainly uses Pierre Bourdieu's theory on the transformation of various types of social capital among the Hoahao Buddhist group and adopts semi-structured interviews, literature analysis, and other methods to demonstrate that the core concepts of repaying the country, repaying the people, repaying the parents and ancestors, repaying the Three Jewels contained in the Hoahao Buddhist philosophy constitute the organic compassionate mentality of believers in secular life.

A Unified Theological Approach to the Issue of Abortion

Brandon Hendricks — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

There are two traditional binary ends of the spectrum that exist within the polarized secular discussion surrounding the issue of abortion. On one end, there are proponents of the position that a woman has unrestricted authority to choose to terminate a pregnancy. Conversely, on the other end of the spectrum, there are proponents of the position that each and every child maintains a fundamental right to live, and consequently, the state has a vested interest in preserving this right. The goal of this manuscript is to attempt to examine secular as well as theological considerations of both ends of the spectrum on abortion, before seeking to offer a mutual consensus based in Christian ethics, as supported by scripture, through examination of the ethical considerations of the pro-choice argument, examination of the ethical considerations of the pro-life argument, and ultimately, positing a common-ground alternative to this contentious issue by seeking to transcend the binary nature of the argument, and rather, focus on the mutual interests found in an ecumenical theological approach.

Sufism, Zawiyas, and the State: The Evolution of Sufism in Algerian Politics

Lotfi Sour — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This paper examines how Sufi zawiyas (lodges) have shaped political structures in Algeria, interrogating their evolving role from centers of anti-colonial resistance to instruments of state legitimacy. The research question emerges from Algeria’s unique historical trajectory, where Sufi orders have alternately been marginalized, co-opted, and mobilized by successive regimes seeking religious-political validation. The significance of this inquiry lies in Algeria’s historical trajectory, where Sufism has functioned as both a force of resistance and an instrument of state legitimacy. From the anti-colonial mobilization of Sufi orders to their contemporary integration into state institutions, Zawiyas have played a pivotal role in Algeria’s political landscape where Islam remains central to national identity yet is fiercely contested between Sufi, reformist, and Salafist factions. Findings reveal that the Algerian state has strategically engaged Sufi orders to counterbalance Islamist movements, reinforce national identity, and legitimize political authority. Zawiyas have exerted influence in electoral politics, bureaucratic appointments, and religious policymaking, often aligning with state narratives of stability and heritage preservation. The state’s instrumentalization of Sufism has, paradoxically, eroded some zawiyas’ grassroots credibility while reinforcing their institutional role. Their role underscores broader dynamics of religious authority and state-building in North Africa, highlighting the intersection of spiritual legitimacy and political power.

Conversion of the Court: Ideological Reversal on Religious Liberty Cases

Matthew R. Datlof, Andre P. Audette — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Over time, the United States Supreme Court has vacillated between an accommodationist and separationist approach to religious liberty cases. Under the Burger Court, liberal justices largely supported religious exemptions and strict scrutiny analysis of government actions limiting religious exercise. The ideological division was further heightened by the 1990 Employment Division v. Smith case, in which the conservative wing of the Court rejected a religious exemption to neutral laws of general applicability. Since then, however, the ideological lines have flipped, such that conservative movements and justices generally favor religious exemptions in cases involving contraception healthcare coverage, school choice, and public accommodation for LGBTQIA+ individuals, while liberal justices are more likely to uphold government actions. The literature has yet to explain this ideological reversal, which occurred over just a few decades. We introduce a new quantitative dataset of justices’ Free Exercise decisions and then use a qualitative historical approach to examine this reversal. We find that the two ideological camps shifted asymmetrically: conservatives in the mid-1990s and liberals thereafter. Our analysis suggests that this is due primarily to the effect of intensive lobbying by new legal organizations, shifting partisan coalitions, and the policy response of the elected branches of government.

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

A Word from the Editor-in-Chief: The Anticipation of the Formation of a Scientific BRICS

Miroljub Jevtić — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

A Word from the Guest Editor: Sharing the same River: Southeast Asian Buddhism in Strengthening Cultural Dialogue and Crossing Boundaries

Tho Ngoc Nguyen — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100