Patriotism as a Political Religion: Its History, Its Ambiguities, and the Case of Hungary

The article discusses patriotism as a “political religion”, an ambiguous phenomenon that is both substitute for former religious traditions and something remains profoundly analogous with them. Special emphasis laid on the origins of such political religions in modern era role state their emergence, which somewhat relativizes Böckenförde’s famous thesis rise “process secularization”. also follows spread nineteenth-century Europe how it contributed to project nation-building different environments. This larger context helps better explain cases Hungary, has produced variety patriotic narratives, symbols, rituals from its beginnings present day, raising doubts about overarching validity secularization thesis. Methodologically, this approach involves analysis historical contemporary texts, visual representations, liturgical practices, while conclusion suggests that, although concept religion” controversial, enduring force explained by interaction politics religion than purely secular outlook.