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“Don’t take a step back - behind is the morgue”: A qualitative interview study on Ukrainian soldiers’ religiosity during wartime
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Cultural Sciences.
2025 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

This study explores how the war in Ukraine affects soldiers' religiosity, focusing on changes in religious practices and the challenges war poses to faith. Through qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, four key themes emerged: wartime religiosity, institutional change, Norse mythology, and the theodicy problem.

Findings show that war shapes soldiers’ religious engagement in diverse ways. Wartime religiosity often intensifies in moments of danger, serving as a coping mechanism rather than a shift in belief. Institutional change reflects broader socio-political shifts, as soldiers seek religious communities aligning with their values. The adoption of Norse mythology by some highlights the adaptability of religious identity in war, while struggles with theodicy lead to both strengthened faith and religious disillusionment.

Contrary to the initial hypothesis—based on deprivation theory—religiosity does not universally increase; some soldiers find solace in faith, while others disengage. This highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of wartime religiosity, shaped by personal, cultural, and situational factors. Future research should examine the role of chaplaincy and religious institutions in addressing soldiers' struggles with theodicy and how faith evolves post-war, deepening our understanding of religion in contemporary conflict.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 37
Keywords [en]
Armed conflict, religiosity, Ukraine
National Category
Religious Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-137202OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-137202DiVA, id: diva2:1943852
Subject / course
Religious Studies
Educational program
Teacher Education Programme for Upper Secondary School, 300/330 credits
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2025-03-12 Created: 2025-03-11 Last updated: 2025-03-12Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf