Religious changes in central and eastern Europe

Till recently, sociological theories about modernization and secularization shared a single viewpoint, namely: religion was losing meaning or even disappearing. Nowadays, counterarguments are being raised about the individualization and deinstitutionalization of religion, about the disappearance of churches but not of religion. These arguments maintain that religion is not vanishing but undergoing change. Empirically, the revival of Islam, new forms of religious feelings, new religious movements and a "religious restoration" in central and eastern Europe are casting doubt on secularization theory. The relations between societies and religions in central and eastern Europe during the second half of the 20(th) century are examined; and recent data, analyzed about the state of religion and of churches there. This general assessment tries to reply to various theoretical questions.