im Medium der Religion ausgetragene ethnische Konflikte
English translation: ethnic conflicts within the sphere of religion
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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:
im Medium der Religion ausgetragene ethnische Konflikte
German to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Religion / sociology of religion
German term or phrase:im Medium der Religion ausgetragene ethnische Konflikte
The full sentence is: Insbesondere im europäischen Osten ist der gewachsene Stellenwert von nationalen Kirchen, religiösen Bewegungen und im Medium der Religion ausgetragenen ethnischen Konflikten unübersehbar.
This sentence occurs in an introduction to a sociology of religion text, here referring to the situation in Eastern Europe and the influence of religion there.
Would an appropriate translation be: "... ethnic conflicts fought in the name of religion?"
Explanation: The terms "Medium" and "Medium der Religion" are very common terms in sociology (of religion). They are based on the medium/form distinction as laid down in Niklas Luhrman's system theory. Therefore, in an academic text like the present one it seems indispensable to maintain the term "medium" also in translation.
Besides, it would not be precise to opt for either "by means of religion" or "in the name of religion", because the phrase "within the medium (of) religion" does mean something else.
I include a couple of links which shed some light on the medium/form disctinction mentioned above.
your context might show that the author means these events/conflicts had a lot to do with "religious convictions" or that religious beliefs strongly influenced (as you say) how various ethnic groups saw and treated each other. But I am not convinced that these events occurred simply "in the name of religion".
I understand "Medium" more as a scientific and theoretical realm/area/concept. And, your text is a sociological discussion.
some other words that might work: on the religious level, in the religious sphere, in the cultural realm of religion.
im Medium der Religion ausgetragenen ethnischen Konflikten
ethnic conflicts fought out within the medium religion
Explanation: The terms "Medium" and "Medium der Religion" are very common terms in sociology (of religion). They are based on the medium/form distinction as laid down in Niklas Luhrman's system theory. Therefore, in an academic text like the present one it seems indispensable to maintain the term "medium" also in translation.
Besides, it would not be precise to opt for either "by means of religion" or "in the name of religion", because the phrase "within the medium (of) religion" does mean something else.
I include a couple of links which shed some light on the medium/form disctinction mentioned above.
Michél Dallaserra Germany Local time: 18:39 Meets criteria Specializes in field Native speaker of: German, English PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks to everybody for their input.
Notes to answerer
Asker: While I accept your argument that the term is common in sociology of religion, it seems to me to be used more loosely here than the strict use of the term would suggest. I therefore entered a modification based on Sulzer's comments. Thanks again
The translation workplace 
