But, I'm not Catholic: religion and identity on the island of Gozo

Abstract

There are many events and ideas in our lives that influence the formation of identity. Religion is a force that can greatly influence how we identify and relate to one another. In some places, religion can be a powerful actor in the formation of identity, and this power can be evidenced not just through religious spaces such as churches, but schools and community events as well. Drawing upon research conducted on Gozo in the Republic of Malta, I am to demonstrate how religion can play a role in identity formation for residents of Gozo. I also show how the values associated with this identity can be resisted in favor of other values. I also raise questions about the influence of globalization on identity and how globalization can lead to the formation of hybrid identities as people have more and more access to alternative ideas and ways of thinking.