In this article I approach Qur’an burning from the perspective of ritual studies. By conducting a discourse analysis YouTube video burning, argue that it can be perceived as ritualized performance communicates variety meanings to audiences. On one hand, demarcates between ‘us’ and Muslim ‘them’, thus serving construct an ingroup identity. other, Muslims are constructed barbaric threat against which civilized man is justified use violence. To consolidate intergroup boundaries most...

Increasing atheism, or the view that there is no God, a major trend affecting Western religious landscape. Scholarly interest in atheists has grown together with their number, but unanswered questions abound. In this study, we present survey data (N = 758) collected from deconverted and lifelong four countries (Australia, Finland, Germany, Norway), investigate relationships between deconversion, identity, spiritual interreligious attitudes. We show retaining low level of identity more...

It is often assumed that, in Western societies, Christian values are embedded national identities, yet, the association between religious identities and prejudice has seldom been studied parallel to identity. According both social identity theory approach integrated threat theory, group identification important for perceiving threats expressing corresponding attitudes. Nevertheless, their independent roles on intergroup outcomes have ignored, although they two of most salient when...

In this article, I study how young Finnish Muslims negotiate for agency amidst a multitude of governing discourses—that is, discourses that seek to regulate what is ‘proper’ Finnishness, Muslimness etc. The based on discourse analysis theme interviews conducted with 14 active in civil society organisations. demonstrates the are skillful negotiating their way discursive field surrounds them; by adopting certain subject positions offered them while at same time distancing themselves from other...

In this study, we analyse accounts of young Muslims withmigration background (n = 205) about living in Finland using a grounded theory approach. The analysis revealed two ways which the describe and Finns: Finnish society is described positive terms, as free safe that has high standard living. culture people, contrast, are an ambiguous manner. On one hand, most Finns friendly open toward other faiths. some them racist and, any case, they seen "the Other" to Muslims. We explore distinction...

In this paper, I demonstrate how a universalising Muslim identity is constructed in the Facebook prayers of young Finnish Muslims. By analysing rhetorical devices utilized prayer updates, argue that serve function similar to ‘flagging’ national identity; portray Islamic umma as unified community and seek diminish possible counter-discourses emphasise ethnic divisions among This study thus supports earlier observations novel ‘umma consciousness’ on rise generations Muslims Europe.

Previous research has demonstrated that young European Muslims relate to religion and religious authority differently from their parental generation. While traditional ‘ulama (Islamic scholars) are not about become obsolete, they nevertheless increasingly forced defend status against competitors. Furthermore, the relationship between many established is marked by ambivalence complexity. In this article, I suggest dialogical self theory (DST) as a fruitful approach conceptualizing identities...

In recent decades, the religious landscape in Europe, including Finland, has witnessed increasing secularisation and pluralisation. this article, we investigate diversity of worldviews among Finnish upper secondary school students from a person-centred perspective. By conducting latent class analysis on survey responses 973 students, distinguish five different worldview profiles: Culturally Moderate are characterised by average scores all worldview-related items. The Secularly Active...

Being a mixed martial arts fighter and devout Christian seems to present an apparent contradiction that requires identity work bring these identities into unity. We used Dialogical Self Theory explored the autobiography of Ron 'H2O' Waterman, professional turned evangelist, understand how tensions between different or I-positions were negotiated. identified two I-positions, 'Ron Fighter' Pater Familias', which related differently religion, sport, masculinity. Importantly, negotiations not...

It is a common assumption that human behavior guided by desire to feel safe and avoid harm. However, this view challenged the popularity of high-risk leisure sport other practices involve subjecting oneself considerable danger with no apparent gain. By using real-contact stick fighting as an example, I suggest attractiveness at least some such can be explained cognitive dynamics are typical affectively intense rituals initiations. Affectively known enhance personal meaning-making foster...

This case study aims to uncover the processes of narrative change in retirement from elite sport. Using Dialogical Self Theory, we examined resistance and work a recently retired, Swiss, male athlete an individual Two interviews at 3-months 1-year post were analyzed using holistic-content analysis, analysis multivoicedness innovative moments. We identified 39 I-positions key moments which exceptions athlete's problematic supported athletic retirement. Importantly, results demonstrate that...

Abstract Identity construction involves drawing a rhetorical boundary between one’s own group and others. Using data gathered from Finnish online forum for Muslims, I study how the practice of temporary ( mutʿa ) marriage is used to mark Sunni Shiʿa Muslims. Here, examine devices by combining principle meta-contrast with concept boundary-markers propose general model intergroup dynamics.

In spring 2019, there was a heated debate in the media concerning Al-Hol camp Syria, where number of women and children were detained. This article explores intersectional dynamics exclusion online comments on news items regarding repatriation from to Finland. The analytical framework is based critical discursive psychology combined with an lens. analysis distinguished three interpretative repertoires: repertoire foreign threat, neglected maternal obligations, irrationality. Within these...

Abstract In this article, we demonstrate how international social‐media discussions offer a platform for taking stance on the war in Ukraine, redrawing national boundaries and legitimising their defence. We do so by analysing data that consist of comments triggered viral YouTube video depicting an encounter between ageing civilian woman, labelled ‘Babushka Z’, Ukrainian soldier. Using critical discursive psychological framework, identify five interpretative repertoires: vulnerability ,...