Postsekularyzm w badaniach geograficznych

Celem artykułu jest prezentacja stanu badań geograficznych prowadzonych w nurcie postsekularyzmu. Geografia zaliczana jest do grupy tych dyscyplin naukowych, które jako jedne z pierwszych włączyły się w postsekularny dyskurs, nawiązując w warstwie teoretycznej do myśli Jürgena Habermasa. Geografowie w swoich badaniach podkreślają, że pomimo obserwowanego stopniowego powrotu religii do przestrzeni publicznej sekularyzacja i desekularyzacja mogą występować jednocześnie. Geografia wzbogaca myśl postsekularną o analizę interakcji sekularyzmu i sakralności w przestrzeni. Ważnym tematem badań jest wpływ symboliki lub kodu kulturowego na wyrażenie religijnej tożsamości osób i miejsc, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem przestrzeni miejskiej. W badaniach geograficznych zwraca się też uwagę m.in. na kapitał duchowy człowieka (VBA) oraz działalność organizacji opartych na wierze (FBOs), których wolontariusze – o różnych tożsamościach religijnych – pracują na rzecz wykluczonych grup społecznych.

The aim of the paper is to discuss the state of geography research in the area of post-secularism. Geography was one of the first research disciplines to investigate issues in terms of the new concept of post-secularism, which is a relatively new concept. The most frequently cited geography works in this area are those of the German philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas who is widely considered to be one of the formulators of this concept. Post-secularism is defined as not only a manner of thinking but also primarily a way of acting – the purpose of which is to build strong social structures based on respect for differences, regardless of religious, political and ethnic background. This form of mutual respect is supposed to serve the welfare of what is broadly defined as the community. One of the main ideas in post-secularism is the recognition that public spaces are characterized by the interaction of the religious sphere and secular sphere. The discipline of geography contributes to post-secularism, which questions the ongoing secularization of society, via an analysis of the interaction between secularism and the sacred in geographic space. Hence, the relationship between secularism and post-secularism may be considered interesting. While religion is returning to public spaces in many cases, secularization may continue to occur at the same time. In many countries the processes of secularization and de-secularization tend to occur at the same time. Geographers examining post-secularism often note the work of various types of organizations that serve the so-called public good, where religious undertones infiltrate the popular culture as well as secular discourse. In many cases, researchers argue, the work of these types of organizations may be less visible in public spaces, especially in the case of entities serving unempowered social groups, due to the low visibility of the religious affiliation of their volunteers. One other important part of research on post-secularism is symbolism or the cultural code that maintains and also affects the religious identity of people and places. In this context, it is vital to examine the spiritual capital of individuals (i.e. VBA – values, beliefs, and attitudes). While VBA often remains hidden from public view for many different reasons, it may produce a powerful and meaningful impact on community relationships; for example, collegial relationships in the workplace.