Petőcz Kálmán (szerk.): National Populism and Slovak - Hungarian Relations in Slovakia 2006-2009 (Somorja, 2009)
Miroslav Kocúr: For God and Nation: Christian National Populism
For God and Nation: Christian National Populism victory in a struggle with the surroundings. They later appear either as saints or as heretics, depending on the point of view. Everyone who honestly stands before the Lord with a serious interest to reflect on life, its meaning or direction inevitably begins to influence the public domain. In order to accomplish their goals, they either use the power of their conviction and example or they establish charity, non-governmental, political or paramilitary organizations. Traditional structures are going through a crisis nowadays - not only within the bounds of Christianity. The crisis ensues from people’s desire to transcend into spiritual values and their simultaneous rejection of churches and religious associations that strive to usurp a monopoly in this area. On the other hand, every crisis also represents an opportunity, not only for new players on the ‘spiritual market’ but also for established monopolies. One thing is for sure: previously known models won’t suffice, perhaps except former countries of the third world. A civil society in which the church has lost its decisive legislative influence represents a comfortable exile for such ‘diluted’ Christianity. In the supermarket of Christian ideas, everyone shops only for merchandise they need for the weekend party; the blend of Christian and national populism makes for a dangerously attractive merchandise at the moment. Sociologists and religious fundamentalists alike are beginning to find out that Christians church dignitaries dream of - i.e. those who consistently abide by church standards from A to Z - are vastly outnumbered by those Christians who subscribe to Christianity during population censuses or tax assignations. Identification with a community that places too high demands on one’s ethical and value standards seems a task beyond an average Christian. Still, Christianity may offer a meaningful alternative as a lifestyle. But in a civil society, its magic ritualism and uncritical adoration of authorities constitute problems that strongly inhibit open social dialogue and development toward an open society. ExAMplE of diAloqUE ANc] its UNRAVEÜil\q In recent years, criticism aimed at church hierarchs is sporadically voiced in the Roman Catholic circles. The most famous in this respect was probably an article by a respected Christian Democratic leader Vladimír Palkó that was published by the .týždeň weekly in the fall of 2007.28 After many years of loyal silence, Palkó openly chastised Cardinal Korec and his public actions that according to him were interpreted within society as moral support for national-populist positions of HZDS Chairman Vladimir Mečiar and his policies as the prime minister. Palkó decided to speak out 239
