National Socialism as a Political Religion



National Socialism as a Political Religion

Political Religion

The first person to propose the term Political Religion was Hans Maier. The concept of political religion entails ideologies of governments. The cultural and political aspects of these ideologies are so well-built that they take great hold of the lives of people, which can be well thought-out as some form of religion. Apart from the primary forms of politics, for instance, elections and parliament, political religion also takes into account a concept of Sacarlization. The linkage of this concept is with the regime holding the institutions, while also provide the central measures related to religion. These include values, myths, ethics, symbols, and rituals; for example, a national calendar of liturgy. A typical form of political religion is the state religion. In most cases, political religions compete with pre-existing conventional religious values, while striving to alter them, in cases where it is possible. If political religion remains unsuccessful in altering the traditional religious values, then, it tries to replace these values (Gentile, 2005).

In, a number of cases, political religion can be interchangeably used as civil religion; however, different scholars have diverse views about political religion. Some see it as a practical distinction of civil religion, while others see it as an equivalent to it. Scholars who see it as a distinction consider civil religion as something which is much weaker and in most cases functions as fundamentally common and socially coalescing factor; whereas, political religion bring a radical transformation, a phenomenon that can bring a civilization to an end. At several instances, the term political religion can also be used outside the academic world, most of the times with meanings as antonym or tangential to the sociological meaning. Precisely, consider applying this concept to a church, with the intent of using it as an offensive account of too much faithfulness to something ideological or political. Although used correctly, it is most expected that the proponents of a dogma will refuse to apply the term of political religion.

Explanation of Political Religion

The concept of political religion is applicable on those aspects of religion which are found in various ideologies of secular ism. The term political religion draws on the aspects of religion which can be found in certain secular ideologies. The aspects, which political religion encompasses, typically include those, which are common, to traditional religions; for instance, similar sociological, psychological and ethical aspects. As a consequence, political religion co-opts or displaces the existing religious beliefs and organizations. The principal definition of political religion is considered to be the sacralization of politics, for instance, the overwhelming feeling which people experience while serving the country, like the founders of the country. In general, a political religion is well thought-out to be secular; however, more widespread forms of political religions are transcendental, simultaneously (Voegelin, 1986).

Typical Aspects of Political Religion

The key elements which are shared by political religion and conventional religions (cults in particular are as follows.

Structure

Establishing differences between others and one's own self and ...