Romancing Freedom: Church and Society in the Baltic States since the End of Communism

In spite of the challenge of 'homo sovieticus' and the so-called 'moral vacuum' the Churches in postcommunist countries since 1989 do not seem to have had the impact they themselves or others thought they would. On the contrary, in the context of newly-acquired freedom and possibilities for expansion the role of the Churches as purveyors of meaning to the individual and society has remained rather limited. In the eyes of many a believer in Eastern Europe this is the result of western influences: since the opening of the Iron Curtain all sorts of evils like liberalism, individualism, consumerism, materialism and (Protestant) sects have harmed the native Churches. Whether this analysis is right still remains to be proven. It is clear however that the events of 1989 were ambiguous for the Churches. Initial euphoria has given way to realism. To what extent are the Churches prepared for the future and what is their contribution going to be in the new, liberal and capitalist society? Let us take the example of the Baltic States.