Het verband tussen religie en interetnische solidariteit - een kwalitatieve studie onder orthodox-protestanten in Nederland

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory qualitative study was to examine the relation between religious identity and solidarity with refugees among orthodox-protestants in the Netherlands. Until now no European studies exist which explore the relationship between identification with a denomination and solidarity towards immigrants. The results of the semi-structured interviews show that the attitude of orthodox-protestants to refugees is ambiguous. This ambiguity finds its source in the multidimensionality of their religious identity. While drive to show solidarity is related to their horizontal identity in broad sense, i.e. their relationship towards fellow human beings, the participants struggle to find a balance between the care they want to provide immigrants from this identity, and the concerns they have what consequences a possible future with a majority of Muslims would have for the establishment of their horizontal identity in narrow sense, i.e. their relation to their religious community, and their vertical identity, i.e. their relation with God. Furthermore, this ambiguity is also reflected in their preferences as to the solution to the refugee problem: here distinction can be made between macro and micro level. At the micro level participants show solidarity towards immigrants, while at the macro level they advocate restrictions on immigration policy.