A Study of the Neopagan Movement in Romania and Methodological Challenges Involved

Abstract

In Romania, the neo-pagan communities are being organized and are working to define their identity in the middle of a Christian environment. In turn, individuals claiming to be neopagans begin to assert themselves in the public space. While the neopagan phenomenon in Central and Eastern Europe has been investigated over recent years by religious, anthropological, and sociological studies, the issue has been scarcely tackled in Romania. The very few studies concerning the neopagan phenomenon in Romania are largely based on web sources, with all the methodological shortcomings that such an investigation involves. The present study aims to outline the status quo of the neopagan presence in the Romanian context and to list some of the methodological challenges that its investigation involves. By highlighting the peculiarities of the neopagan phenomenon in Romania, the author hopes to offer a useful working tool to specialists in missionary studies or missiology as a theological discipline.