religion and politics

Interethnic conflicts are never the consequence of religious differences, they are always generated by the politics. However, diversity in Christian traditions makes the impression that these problems are real and rational, and the only solution for them, the radical one could be: nationalism and homogenization of citizens. Below we will follow how revolutionary events in 1848 influenced the “private life” of churches in the Hungarian Kingdom of that time.

Proclaiming equality before the law for denominations by the Statute nr. XX. in 1848, challenged both the churches and the civil rights. In many cases religious freedom goes hand in hand with national identity. This essay aims to review the attitude of the First Hungarian Government (lead by count Lajos Batthyány from March to September 1848) towards the churches of the Hungarian Kingdom at that time.

This article considers the theme of politics from the perspective of Dan 4. YHWH gives people power of which they can take advantage. This power is controlled and judged by YHWH, who, on his turn, looks for human representatives who understand His will. The tree surrounded by a band (Dan 4:12) points to the possibility of perseverance in the judgment, which is proclaimed by means of human agents. Anyone dreaming of a better policy has to be-come YHWH’s servant which requires humility and obedience.

Few passages in Matthew deal with the relation between Christ, his followers and the authorities. When Christ or the believers came into contact with the authorities, they usually ended up being persecuted, mistreated, jailed or executed. We examine the encounter of Jesus with Herod, Pharisees, Herodians, Pilate, chief priests, the first and second Roman centurion, and then the meeting of John the Baptist, Simon from Cyrene and Joseph of Arimathea with the authorities.

Even though the ancient solar cult goes back to the early days of the Roman Republic, it had to wait for a long time to gain far-reaching acceptance. Emperors were fond of increasing the influence of Deus Sol in society on both political and religious grounds. Initially, they took great care to ensure that their personal prestige remained more important than that particular influence.

The author is a senior research fellow of the National University of Public Service and General Secretary of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary. He is an expert in international affairs, a Lutheran pastor, holding a PhD in Military Sciences. The author explores how the churches in Hungary can cooperate with the state in order to create security in Hungary and in other parts of the world. Readers may gain an understanding of the tasks and services of the Ecumenical Council and its member churches in Hungary with special regard to the helping of the persecuted Christians.