Where does the religious truth comes from? A sociological view on Marian apparitions and demonic possessions

Published: 2010

Biograf (52-53): 89-101

In this paper I summarize the background and results of our three-year research project Religious realities in the making: Apparitions and possessions as practical and collective accomplishments (GAČR 403/08/1758). All our analyses emphasise the polymorphic nature and diversity of what we call religious faith. Inspired by theoretical-methodological approaches from contemporary science studies we try to pursue a kind of non-reductionist sociology of religion. As subjects of study we have chosen weird, rather rare and in many respects controversial situations (apparitions and possessions) that allow as to grasp in action and cleavage even the long and perfectly sediment reality of religion.