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Dragutin Matak
Episode · #450

EKUMENA I ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Dragutin Matak

Guest Dragutin MatakHosted by Augustin BašićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Religious freedom often appears to be a matter of laws and conventions. Yet, Dragutin Matak, Secretary General of the Association for Religious Freedom in Croatia, argues that legal frameworks, while welcome, ultimately fall short. His organization, active for nearly three decades, deliberately avoids acting as a 'policeman' enforcing rights through courts or treaties. Instead, Matak champions a more fundamental approach: fostering understanding through 'friendship, encounter, and getting to know the other.' Matak's perspective challenges the reliance on institutional solutions, suggesting that genuine respect for diverse beliefs, and the ethical conduct that flows from it, are built on personal connection rather than legal compliance. He offers a view from the intersection of faith, ethics, and secular society, particularly relevant for understanding the role of minority groups. This conversation will prompt you to reconsider where true freedom and ethical integrity originate, and how societies truly mature beyond mere legal protections.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The Association for Religious Freedom doesn't act as a 'policeman,' pursuing legal battles or enforcing international conventions like the UN Human Rights Council. Instead, Dragutin Matak says they believe in 'friendship, encounter, and getting to know the other.' True freedom of belief isn't enforced by law, but built through genuine human connection and understanding, especially for those who are often misunderstood.
02
Croatia's constitution and laws protect religious rights, but Dragutin Matak notes they are 'welcome, but don't solve things.' Legal frameworks alone only soften the edges of intolerance; lasting respect for human dignity across diverse beliefs requires a more active, humanistic approach that transcends mere compliance.
03
Dragutin Matak suggests that to truly understand someone with a different viewpoint, you must become 'a little enthusiastic for their cause.' This isn't about abandoning your own convictions, but about actively engaging with the other's perspective to the point of genuine appreciation, which is the only foundation for constructive exchange.
04
Dragutin Matak doesn't 'envy large religious communities,' explaining they face 'far greater challenges and temptations' from political and economic interests. Smaller communities, often ignored by those seeking votes, gain a different kind of freedom — the ability to remain more authentic to their core message without the pressure to compromise or secularize.
05
When large religious communities mingle with political and economic lobbies, Dragutin Matak describes the result as a 'Bosnian pot' — a mix of everything that ultimately dilutes the authentic spiritual message. The pursuit of worldly influence risks compromising the very identity and purpose of the institution.
06
Historically, the Protestant movement introduced a new dimension to business ethics by encouraging individuals to think more freely and use Scripture as their primary reference, rather than an external curia or system. This shift empowered people to apply ethical principles directly to their work, fostering a personal accountability that shaped modern commerce.
07
When President Josipović won elections, the subsequent census showed a 'drastic increase' in self-identified agnostics, leading Dragutin Matak to jokingly call the president an 'excellent evangelist.' A public figure's personal worldview, when perceived as sensible and relatable, can popularize a way of thinking more effectively than any organized campaign.
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