With the end of state-socialism, however, religion re-entered the public space, and in many Post-Socialist countries, religiosity and the role of religion increased significantly—particularly where it has been promoted in the process of state identity building. The authors explore the current role of religion in Eastern Europe, defined politically as the territory of the former socialist Eastern European countries. They use case studies and follow an interdisciplinary approach, tracing the field from the perspectives of political science, sociology, law, culture, and architecture/urban planning.

Dr. Jochen Töpfer is juniorprofessor at the Institute for Sociology, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg.

Dr. Julia Gerlach is research associate at the Institute for East-European Studies, Freie Universität Berlin.