The liberal democratic world order, once seemingly on a global rise, has entered a crisis. This crisis consists of several entangled dimensions. One central issue is the backsliding of democracy and the shift toward authoritarian leaders and systems, often justified under the banner of traditional values. Populist nationalism, infused with local religious traditions, has become a key pillar of this trend.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine exemplifies both illiberal authoritarianism and the conflicts it generates. The war has also forced churches to reassess their views on war and peace, their role in nation-building, and their underlying ideologies, particularly theology.

The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on European countries along the Russian border. These frontline nations, including Finland, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, have been forced to reconsider their security strategies and reassess their discourses over identity. RELIDEM focuses on these four countries and their historic churches – Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. The project examines how these churches respond to the dual crises of war in Ukraine and the broader crisis of democracy.

The role of religion in the crisis of democracy is often analysed through the lens of major global powers, primarily the USA and, to some extent, Russia. However, there is a tendency to transpose the American cultural phenomena, such as its “culture wars,” onto other contexts without recognizing significant differences. While some of these cultural wars spill over into Europe or are imported from the USA, the apparent similarities often conceal considerable differences in how religion is employed in populist nationalism. Instead, it seems that the international discourses are adopted selectively and adapted to local contexts.

Despite their geographic and geopolitical proximity, the four countries studied each have distinct characteristics. A comparative study examining both grassroots movements and organizational dynamics will significantly enhance our understanding of the interchange between religion, nationalism and politics.

KEYWORDS:

religion, democracy, theology, geopolitics, christian denominations.