Cultural and Socio-Psychological Aspects of Religious and Ethnic Isolation. A Case Study

The study focuses on the cultural and socio-psychological aspects that influence religious identity and behavior in the case of minority religious and ethnic groups, based on the analysis of the way 20th century political changes influenced the self-understanding of the minority Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches in Transylvania. The common need to preserve identity is often accompanied by mistrust toward different identities, thought to endanger the self. Minorities are more disposed to seclusion because of the risk to lose their identity. Isolation decreases the ability for dialogue. There is an intricate relationship between religious and ethnic identity. This intricacy is more common in traditional communities that have an inclination to particularism, and leads to the concept of a “national God”. Traditionalism reinforces seclusion, as facing challenges of the modern world tends to react through isolation and radical criticism. Another factor of isolation is external pressure that strengthens the cohesion of the in-group and the rejection of the out-group. Recently increased search for identity in both Western and Eastern societies shows that theology faces a significant challenge, as it has to safeguard specific values while also showing a great disposition to dialogue and openness.