010081 VO Religions in Slovakia (2009S)

The course presents Slovakia as a crossroad of several religious traditions and demonstrates the historical and contemporary situation of the religions in Slovakia. It shows the religious worlds of the Roman- and Greek-Catholics, Lutherans and Calvins, the Orthodox Christians, and the small Christian churches. The religious world of the Jews and their tragedy during World War II, and the religiosity of the Romas (Gypsies) will be presented as well. The course then analyzes existing popular beliefs such as magic and superstitions. A part of the course describes the present situation of the small Islamic community, new religious movements, and an attempt to revive the Slavic pre-Christian religiosity.