Contentious Community: Politicization and Styles of Engagement in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

This article examines the politicization and contentious debates within the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF). Since the ELCF adheres to democratic principles and parliamentary rules of procedure in its decision-making, this study explores how the normative standards of liberal democracy and societal changes influence a religious organization in negotiating values, differences, and styles of engagement.