Political Ideas Presented by Leaders of the “New Generation” Charismatic Movement Regarding the Formation of Postsecular Trends in Ukraine

• Main Authors: Iryna GRABOVSKA, Тetiana ТALKO, Svitlana KAHAMLYK, Maryna HONCHARENKO, Yuliia SIEROVA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Armenian State Pedagogical University 2021-03-01
• Series: Imastut'yun
• Subjects: postsecularism; new religions; neo-charismatic movements; theology of prosperity; theocratic state; public conflict
• Online Access: https://www.wisdomperiodical.com/index.php/wisdom/article/view/452

The article is devoted to analysing political ideas presented by leaders of Ukrainian communities of the International New Religious Movement “New Generation” related to the aggravation of conflict in the Ukrainian community’s public life within deepening post-secular trends. The negative attitude of a particular part of the Ukrainian student community towards charismatic leaders’ political strategies was identified in the analysis process. It was based on the criticism of personal qualities and manipulating practices employed by the movement leaders. The term “political theology” is used by the Ukrainian “New Generation” charismatic leaders to outline and describe the nature of the movement’s political ideology. It is based on ideas of the “New World Order” by O. Lediaev and some Christian extremism features. Criticizing the “New Generation” leaders’ theocratic ideas, the authors focused on their influence on the formation of strategies for developing Uk­rainian communities of new generations. It was noted that most leaders of Ukrainian communities are aware of the utopian and conflict-generating nature of the idea of creating a theocratic state in modern Ukraine.