This book, based on the author’s fieldwork in rural and urban Belarus, demonstrates that Protestant congregations generate social resources relevant to Belarusian society as a whole. It explores Protestantism in Belarus as a distinct model of lifestyle, a model of civic engagement and as a model of social life. The book shows how Protestantism offers individuals within congregations a distinct basis for personal relationships and facilitates strong support networks.

lgrsnf/9783657793945-69243.pdf

Germany, Germany

Front Cover
Half Title
Series Information
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1 COVID-19, the protests of 2020 and crackdown on civil society today
1.1 Introduction
1.2 What new we learned about Belarus since 2020
1.3 The coronavirus pandemic and the protests of August 2020
1.4 Belarusian Churches and the protests
1.5 Studying Protestant minorities in Belarus
1.6 What is this book about
1.7 The structure of the book
Chapter 2 Social capital, Protestant congregations and social change
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The mystery of social capital: the five blind men and the elephant
2.3 Practicalities of studying of social capital
2.4 Civil society versus social capital
2.5 Congregations as generators of social capital
2.6 How can religion spur social change?
2.7 Conclusion
Chapter 3 Studying religion and social capital in an authoritarian context
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Congregations as case studies
3.3 Protestant congregations as ‘gated’ communities
3.4 Multilingual research in Belarus
3.5 ‘Who am I in the field?’ and knowledge production
3.6 Conclusion
Chapter 4 The Belarusian paradox
4.1 National identity and civil society
4.2 Civil society in Belarus
4.3 Has religion revived after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
4.4 The roots of Protestantism in Belarus
4.5 The religious boom in 1990s Belarus
4.6 Protestant minorities in Belarusian society
4.7 Conclusion
Chapter 5 Protestant lifestyle
5.1 Introduction
5.2 ‘Finding God’ in Belarus: the narratives
5.3 Godly order in the secular Belarus
5.4 The meaning of congregation for individuals
5.5 Is Protestantism indigenous in Belarusian culture?
5.6 Protestantism as a social force in a rural context
5.6.1 The Protestant family cycle
5.6.2 The work cycle
5.7 Conclusion
Chapter 6 Belarusian Protestants and civic engagement
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Civic engagement – what does it mean in the Belarusian context?
6.3 The Soviet burden
6.4 The ideal model of the state-religion relationship
6.5 Protestant mission vis-à-vis the state and society
6.5.1 ‘Jesus Christ, Belarusian language and national symbols’
6.5.2 Mission impossible: the protection of Kurapaty memorial site
6.6 Acting through praying?
6.7 Conclusion
Chapter 7 Sociability within the congregation
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Congregations help develop relationships
7.3 The power structure of congregation
7.4 Trust and solidarity: not in shortage among Protestants?
7.5 Conclusion
Chapter 8 Social capital and Protestant congregations in Belarus
8.1 In what ways can Belarusian Protestants push for social change?
8.2 Key contributions of this book
8.3 Studying similar sensitive contexts
8.4 Limitations of the study and future research
Postscriptum
Three pastors and peppers
Fieldnotes sample
References
Back Cover

2025-03-11