Panel: DOES THE EUROPEAN RIGHT NEED RELIGION?



489.3 - MORE JESUS FOR EUROPE - SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND THE POLITICAL RIGHT

AUTHORS:
Kreuzer L. (Universität Wien ~ Wien ~ Austria)
Text:
This paper aims to define the relationship between church renewal movements and the political right. It examines what concrete political demands can be derived from the work of the movements and what social order is being worked on. What parallels can be drawn between the rise of the New Right and the renewal movements? What methods are used to achieve discourse hegemony? Is there a link between spiritual longing and right-wing populism? What role, negative or positive, does the right to religious freedom play in the public image of these movements? The focus is on the network of initiators of the Mission Manifesto published in 2018, a private initiative to 're-evangelise Europe'. Parallels between conservative renewal movements and right-wing populist movements will be identified on the basis of the parameters of media presentation, in particular rhetoric, aesthetics, target group orientation and personal contacts. The paper is based on an analysis of digital artifacts. Media appearances, social media accounts, publications, songs as well as institutions founded by the renewal movements will be analysed.