A transformação de religiosidade em Portugal e na Grécia: uma comparação etnográfica da Nova Espiritualidade e pluralismo religioso no sul da Europa
Eugenia Roussou
December 25, 2016 DOI: 10.21724/rever.v16i3.31182 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Ethnography |
|---|---|
| Population | People in Lisbon, Portugal and Athens, Greece |
| Key findings | Argues that New Age spirituality in Lisbon and Athens is transforming everyday religiosity and creating a new religious pluralism in which people choose among alternative spiritual paths. Contends that practices such as alternative therapies, angel communication, tarot, yoga, meditation retreats, and shamanism challenge the dominance of Christianity and are claiming a significant and persistent position within Portuguese and Greek religiosity. |
Abstract
Based on anthropological fieldwork in Lisbon, Portugal and Athens, Greece, this article presents a comparative account of New Age spirituality in southern Europe, a geographical and socio-cultural area where studies of the New Age phenomenon are scarce to find. It will be shown how this recent turn to "new spirituality” leads to a transformation of everyday religiosity and to a new form of religious pluralism, where people have the choice to follow alternative spiritual paths. The focus is on how these practices of New Age spirituality, which range from alternative therapies, communication with angels and tarot, to yoga, meditation retreats and shamanism, make their way into the everyday lives of people, affecting their religious beliefs and aspirations, challenging the dominance of Christianity and claiming a significant position within the Portuguese and Greek religiosity more persistently.