Immigrant Religions and Structural Adaptations
: Martikainen, Tuomas
: 2004
: Zeitschrift für Missionswissenschaft und Religionswissenschaft
: 88
: 3-4
: 264
: 274
: https://eos-verlag.de/zeitschrift-fuer-missionswissenschaft-und-religionswissenschaft-88-20043-4/
The article discusses aspects of the structural adaptation of immigrant religions to a new local society. After highlighting the key features of contemporary international migrations, the author then emphasises the deeply local responses to migratory resettlement. Immigrant religions are not replicas of their homeland models, but rather new cultural formations that are deeply affected by the surrounding society. The contemporary policies of multiculturalism affirm difference and, thus, support the organisation of immigrant religions. Participation in religious dialogue provides further models of religious organisation and activity that enhance structural adaptation.