Przegląd Religioznawczy – The Religious Studies Review

Religioznawstwo w poszukiwaniu swojej naukowości

Zbigniew Drozdowicz — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

In this discussion, I will be addressing the question of whether religious studies can be consid-ered a legitimate field of scientific research. A few years ago, it was removed from the list of recognized sciences by government decision-makers. However, I do not believe that this has put the field in a dire situation. In fact, I argue that in the past, such obstacles have actually been beneficial as they have brought recognition to the field from those who treat science and religion separately. This has allowed for entry into academic circles for religious studies. However, the success of the field now largely depends on scholars who conduct research on various religions and forms of religiosity. In this discussion, I present the thesis that these scholars can contribute by utilizing the best practices from the traditions of religious studies while also making changes where necessary in order to demonstrate that it is a dynamic discipline capable of growth. The fact that these changes may create controversy is a sign of not only their imperfections, but also their potential as a research discipline.

Relacja między wszechmocą Bożą a prawdami wiecznymi w filozofii św. Tomasza z Akwinu, Fran-ciszka Suáreza i Kartezjusza

Marek Sołtysiak — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The aim of this article is to show the relationship between God’s omnipotence and eternal truths in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Francis Suárez and Descartes. In the presented work, I limit myself to those aspects of the thoughts of the first two philosophers that allow us to better understand the originality of Descartes’ position. At the beginning of the article, I point out the similarities and differences in their understanding of the nature of God’s omnipotence and eter-nal truths. In its later part, I present Suárez’s criticism of the concept of St. Thomas Aquinas. In the main part, however, I show Descartes’ arguments for rejecting the concept of God’s omnipo-tence and the “situation” of eternal truths in relation to God’s intellect by his predecessors. I also draw attention to the motives that led Descartes to a radical approach to the relationship between God’s omnipotence and the eternal truths dependent on it. Finally, I demonstrate the influence of his concept on the development of modern science.

Agon bosko-ludzki. Korzystanie z (nie)ziemskiej mocy i światła (boskiej) wiedzy podczas wznoszenia ku niebu obiektów architektonicznych

Henryk Benisz — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

People try with great determination to overcome the border between heaven and earth by erecting vari-ous objects. In antiquity, these objects were typically megaliths and temple towers, in the Middle Ages, gothic cathedrals, and in modern times, skyscrapers that almost defy the laws of gravity. This idea centers around vertical development, the act of surpassing physical boundaries and venturing into the supernatural realm in a symbolic sense. This concept is deeply ingrained in the relationship between man and divinity and serves to represent the constant tension between these two worlds.

Religijność młodzieży szkolnej Anno Domini 2022

Janusz Mariański, Helena Słotwińska, Marta Buk-Cegiełka, Radosław Rybarski — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

In this article, we analyze the religiosity of high school students on various levels, including reli-gious affiliation, changes in religiosity, belief in God, and compulsory and non-compulsory (ex-tra-compulsory) religious practices. These analyses are based on the results of a sociological survey conducted in November and December 2022 and January 2023, as part of the research project “Religious Education of Polish Youth – Current Status, Opportunities and Threats”.

Gnostyczne przezwyciężanie napięć między religią i techniką

Artur Jocz — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The purpose of these considerations is to demonstrate two paths leading to overcoming the dominance of technical reality over human spirituality. This diagnosis is found in documents of the Roman Catholic Church. These attempts will draw inspiration from the neognostic tradition, and they were developed by Mikołaj Bierdiajew (1874–1948) and Tadeusz Miciński (1873–1918).

Kwakierskie korzenie brytyjskiej antropologii społecznej

Wojciech Dohnal — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The article discusses the Quaker contribution to the rise of British social anthropology. In the first half of the 19th century, Quakers were at the forefront of reform movements, advocating for the prohibition of the slave trade, the abolition of slavery, and the protection of the rights of in-digenous people in colonies. From their religious and moral beliefs, an interest in the cultures of indigenous peoples emerged, leading to pioneering research. Prominent Quaker figures, such as Thomas Hodgkin, James Cowles Prichard, and Edward Burnett Tylor, established institutions such as the Aborigines Protection Society, the Ethnological Society of London, and the Anthro-pological Institute (now the Royal Anthropological Institute), to carry out their humanitarian and scientific mission. Their contributions were crucial in shaping the scientific foundations of an-thropology and establishing the theory of social evolution as its theoretical basis.

The Sufi brotherhood of Nāṣiriyya in Morocco – its establishment and doctrine

Marek M. Dziekan — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The article is devoted to the beginnings and religious practice of the Sufi Nāṣiriyya brotherhood, a branch of Šāḏiliyya. The brotherhood was established in the 17^thcentury in southern Morocco, and its main religious and intellectual center from the very beginning was the town of Tāmkrūt, where a zāwiya still exists today with its famous library of manuscripts. The brotherhood was founded by Maḥammad Ibn Nāṣir, known as Ibn Nāṣir ad-Darʻī (1603–1674), whose son established the central role of Tāmkrūt and can thus be regarded as the founder of this ṭarīqa. He continued the work of his father, and Nāṣiriyya spread fairly quickly across the Maghrib as its followers also created zāwiyas in today’s Tunisia and Algeria. Although Nāṣiriyya’s roots go back as far as the son of Abū Ṭālib, Ǧaʿfar, it is an orthodox Sunni brotherhood that adheres to the Maliki law school, strongly connected to the central authorities of Morocco. The article also presents the figure of Ibn Nāṣir, a widely recognized mystic and theologian, and a Muslim lawyer. His main work is Al-Aǧwiba an-Nāṣiriyya [“An-Nāṣirī’s Response”] a text of predominantly legal character. However, his prayer in verse, known widely as Sayf Ibn Nāṣir [“The Sword of Ibn Nāṣir”] is especially popular. The article also dedicates a few paragraphs to his son, Aḥmad al-Ḫalīfa. Further in the article, an outline is provided concerning the mystical rituals of Nāṣiriyya, originating from the brotherhood’s founder.

Salafism in Turkey: Between persistent radicalism and cultural resilience

Agata Wójcik — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The purpose of the study is to introduce the question of intra-Sunni ideological rivalry in modern Turkey. An attempt has been taken to understand the contemporary, competing Islamic intellectual thoughts in Turkish society with special attention to Salafism – perceived as an important religious narrative. Thus, some fundamental questions addressed in the article are: How does Salafism operate in modern Turkey and what position has it gained within Turkish Islam? What challenges does it pose to the Islamic philosophical and mystical tradition? Which strands within Salafism are gaining prominence in Turkey? How do Salafists define Islam, and how should politics and society be constructed according to their theology? Although the study is based on the questions posed above, its aim is not only to find the correct answers, but also to assist in a better comprehension of some of the intricate issues of Salafism in Turkey and its implications for the process of cultural resilience, which is subjected to shifting dynamics.

Religijność homo aestheticus. Wybrane zagadnienia

Beata Guzowska — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Postmodern culture is largely shaped by individualization, modernization, secularization, and aestheticization. The modern individual, known as homo aestheticus, strives for a new sense of self, not based on long-standing values and meanings, but rather on evolving personal images and fluid life models present in the culture. This new approach to religiosity and spirituality is seen as a cure for the discontent felt by modern individuals who do not find fulfillment in traditional religions. It is intended to form the basis of a spirituality focused on well-being.