Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display

Religious literacy, Neutrality, and Islam

Komulainen, Marju-Riikka Religious literacy, Neutrality, and Islam. Research master thesis, Master Research Master Theologie en Religiewetenschappen.

[img]
Preview
Text
2021-2022 ReMa Komulainen, M. ReMasterthesis.pdf - Submitted Version

Download (711kB) | Preview

Abstract

Religion in public institutions has developed into a substantial field of research in religious studies. One institution that has not been thoroughly examined is that of police forces, research lacking globally. However, the police make an important case to investigate due to the positionality of the institution: police officers operate as representatives of the state and its laws whilst connecting to citizens. This research aims to address this gap in literature through a research question of “How do the Finnish police forces view and approach religious diversity, particularly the increasing presence of Islam in Finland?”. The focus of this research is on Islam because Muslims are the fastest growing religious minority in the still relatively homogeneous religious demographic of Finland. However, the diverse religion is colored with stereotypes, and negative attitudes towards Islam in Finland are notable. I suggest that the dominant attitudes to Islam in Finland might have implications to institutional approaches targeting Finnish Muslims. Theoretically, this thesis focuses on the framework of religious literacy. Conceptually, I lean on academic discussions about the dynamics of secularism and Islam, and religious freedom. In this thesis, I argue that a holistic understanding of religions (religious literacy) in Finland should take into account the ways in which Finnish public spheres are informed by the country’s Protestant history. I suggest that unacknowledged Protestant biases legitimize othering religious minorities through claims on neutrality. This research is conducted with qualitative methods (literature research, in-depth interviews and a focus group interview), allowing a focus on policy and practice. Through this thesis I elaborate that in the Finnish police forces there is a disparity between the approaches to religious diversity in policy level and in practice, particularly when zooming into different localities.

Type: Thesis (Research master)
Supervisors (RUG):
SupervisorE-mailTutor organizationTutor email
Buitelaar, M.W.Faculteit GGW, Vergelijkende ReligiewetenschapM.W.Buitelaar@rug.nl
Bartelink, B.E.Faculteit GGW, Vergelijkende ReligiewetenschapB.E.Bartelink@rug.nl
Degree programme: Master Research Master Theologie en Religiewetenschappen
Academic year: 2021-2022
Date of delivery: 16 Sep 2022 08:15
Last modified: 16 Sep 2022 08:15
URI: https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/657
Actions (requires login)
View Item View Item