Religion and Culture as a Means of Manipulating Ethnic Minorities in Georgia

Abstract

The article examines religion and culture as a complex tool of political manipulation in the process of fueling ethnic conflict in Georgia. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia is distinguished by its rich and diverse cultural heritage, where Orthodox Christianity is deeply intertwined with national identity, although the existing situation often creates ethnic tension, which was especially evident in the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The article argues for the important role of political and socio-economic factors in conflicts. A deeper understanding of them requires the study of the often-overlooked religious and cultural dimensions. This article examines the cultural and religious markers that gain powerful symbols of ethnicity and difference and are often used by political actors to fuel conflict. The article also explores the complex relationship between the Georgian Orthodox Church and Georgian nationalism, which influences the process of unity or division of society.