Doctoral defence: Rain Soosaar "The Process of Secularization in Rural Communes of Estonia and Latvia (1920-40). Case Studies of Lutheran–Majority Parishes"

On 4 November at 16:15 Rain Soosaar will defend his doctoral thesis "The Process of Secularization in Rural Communes of Estonia and Latvia (1920-40). Case Studies of Lutheran–Majority Parishes" for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Religious Studies). 

Supervisor:

Professor Riho Altnurme, University of Tartu  

Opponent:

Professor Hugh McLeod, University of Birmingham (Great Britain)

Summary

The dissertation analyzed secularization in Estonian and Latvian rural areas with a Lutheran majority in 1920s-30s, drawing on Karel Dobbelaere`s conceptions of societal and individual secularization. For this purpose, religious life, individual religious practice and the role of the church in local public life were examined in Haljala, Halliste, Jüri, Karuse, Varbla and Vastseliina parishes in Estonia and in Jaunpiebalga, Gramzda, Rūjiena and Tukums parishes in Latvia. 

According to the findings, secular areas of life, such as economy, culture and politics, were largely out of the church's control in the studied parishes. However, Lutheran clergy continued to be important figures in public life, and religious ceremonies were highly valued in community life on festive occasions, especially patriotic events. Only in some backward areas did religion still play central role in community life, but even there secularization had begun to spread through education, social life, and the mass media. The vast majority of people considered themselves Christians and remained members of the church, followed its rites and occasionally attended services, especially during major holidays. However, the authority of the institutional church and pastors was in decline, and their religious and moral guidance was largely ignored when it conflicted with the people's pragmatic interests. Notable examples are working on Sundays, drop of church rites after the introduction of secular civil status registration, and the delay in baptizing children. 

In the case of Estonia, the possible use of the results of the 1923 referendum on religious instruction as a measure of individual secularization was also considered. It appeared that in addition to the attitude towards faith and the Lutheran Church, the political preferences of the voters also influenced the election results.