The Greek debt crisis as theodicy: Religious fundamentalism and socio-political conservatism

This article analyzes two core ultra-conservative religious frames that were employed for the interpretation of the Greek debt crisis, namely the crisis as a pedagogical punishment from God and as a global conspiracy of the arch-enemies of the Greek nation. Further, it analyzes the corresponding proposed remedies, namely an attitude of repentance and an attitude of dynamic defense of traditional values. Finally, the article explains the seemingly paradoxical attitude of the Greek Orthodox fundamentalists as they both call for resistance and simultaneously condemn the anti-austerity movement of the time. In doing so, the article underscores the highly ideological character of theodicy, since it mobilizes religio-moral and cultural symbolic resources for the legitimization of power relations.