SOLIDARITETENS KÖK En etnografisk studie av frikyrkors integrationsinriktade mötesplatser

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to examine the democratic function of free churches’ integrationoriented meeting places within a society of pluralism. The material used in this study has been collected by using qualitative methods such as participant observation and in-depth interviews. Observations were done at three meeting places in local churches where visitors, volunteers, leaders and pastors have been involved as respondents. The material has been analyzed using a hermeneutic approach and through a theoretical framework built upon Chantal Mouffe’s model of democracy, liberal education as a process, and the concepts of high and low meeting places. The results of the study firstly show that integration-oriented meeting places in free churches can be characterized as low intensive by facilitating cross-border meetings between people who under other circumstances would not meet. Secondly, it reveals that participants go through a process of liberal education by engaging in unreserved dialogue and unpracticed activities; a process which is seen to deepen the reflexive posture of the participants. Thirdly, the results show that the meeting places are featured by a strong sense of fellowship, which overshadows differences that otherwise could have challenge the limits of pluralism in an antagonistic way. The conclusions drawn from this study are that integration-oriented meeting places in free churches are a sequel of the survival of the Christian people's movement, with a sustained culture of fellowship and operation. The meeting places fill a democratic function of fostering mutual tolerance among people who regardless of juridical citizenship get to develop a political identity as citizens in a time of intense migration.