Linkages Between Political Orientations and Religious Tolerance in Russia

My sociological analysis was focused on the finding relationships between political practice and religious tolerance. Political orientations are usually an important indicator of people’s trust to political authority and legitimization of political decisions, especially in crisis periods. Strengthening trend of religious values in Russia changes the context and conditions in which religious tolerance could be preserved. But the problem of readiness of Russians to this transformation of their worldview needs more profound analysis. Rising of the affiliation with religion didn’t lead Russian people to more intensive relations with church and religious practices. From one side we reveal the signs of increasing interest to religious beliefs and traditions in the political sphere. From the other side the paper focuses on the contradictions between levels of nominal tolerance and the real observation of inter-confessional relations. Analyzing such contradictions is necessary to assess the level of tolerance in Russian society for a better understanding of the future development of political situation. The case study of political orientations of young Catholics in Moscow allowed a specific example to analyze how religious tolerance is turning into a political loyalty in society. The methods which have been selected and used in my research were: secondary analysis of surveys of poll centers: Russian Public Opinion Research Center, Russian Fond of Public Opinion, Pew Research Center (International Social Survey Programme) and others. The data were obtained from surveys that included questions on religion, face to face and on line interviews. Analyzing these materials, I investigated haw religious tolerance impacts on political culture of Russian people. My findings helped to formulate some assumptions haw use these linkages in politics. The study of this problem is rather important for Russia. My paper could provide some thoughts on this subject and help to elaborate scenarios of preferable future for inter-confessional relations.