Man och kvinna i tvåsamhet, Amen : en studie om debatten kring samkönade äktenskap i religiös media

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis is to present a number of examples of how the debate concerning same-sex marriages in Sweden was conducted in religious media between the year of 2005 and May 1st 2009. I intend to examine if and how these debate articles can be descibes as examples of religion taking part in the public sphere according to José Casanovas theory of deprivitization and public religion (1994) and Jürgen Habermas theory of religion in the public sphere (1964, 1989, 2006, 2008). I will apply the theories to the material by using four criteria for public religion, based on Casanovas and Habermas two theories, designed by Marta Axner. I also intend to compare the arguments used in the material to the arguments found in Marta Axners dissertation Public Religions in Swedish Media (2013). To identify these arguments a textanalysis containing seven argumentschemes, designed by Gunnar Björnsson (1994), is applied. The analysis presents that arguments of authority often recurs, mainly in reference to the Bible, God or Jesus Christ. Arguments of rule and consequence are also frequently used. In relation to the criteria for public religion it is not possible to present a definitive answer, instead it is of greater value to discuss whether there is a possibility that Casanova and Habermas would differ in determining whether the material can be described as public religion or not. The conclusion is therefore that more discussion and research are needed to deplete this field of study.