This research, in terms of that religious exclusivity could be an important cause of formation and deepening of xenophobia, investigated xenophobia's phenomenon rapidly spreading and deepening in contemporary Russia in next point of views: religion-st ...
This research, in terms of that religious exclusivity could be an important cause of formation and deepening of xenophobia, investigated xenophobia's phenomenon rapidly spreading and deepening in contemporary Russia in next point of views: religion-state, religion- society relations and social attitude of religion in Russia after Soviet Union's collapse Concretely, the Russian Orthodox Church(ROC) became real 'state-religion' by enacting the <New Religious Law>(1997) in Russia. Therefore, analyzed how ROC's attitude to other religions influences on state religious policy, local government, mass media and education. Also, analyzed how it influences on Russian society. As a result, because of non-orthodox church or non-orthodox believer in contemporary Russia, they could be treated discriminatingly by ROC, institution, state power, education, mass media. Also, it is difficult to predict that the situation could be improved. Specially, the increase of 'sect' terminology's use on Russia society makes have such contradictory perspective. On Russia society if somebody is branded as a sectarian, it means that he(she) can not domesticate and be assimilated in Russia. These meaning is snowballing by ROC and mass media. On the other side, it is expressed with watch and control of the administrative machinery of a state. In this point of view, 'sect' terminology can be compared in terminology of Soviet period 'People's enemy' or 17th century 'Heretic'. In other words, in contemporary Russia word 'sect', passes over religious meaning, differentiates between 'we' and 'they'. Furthermore, it is called that religion is often closely linked with nation or ethnic. For example, a specific religion could recall a specific nation or ethnic, and there is opposite case. That is, the religious distinction has a possibility to cause ethnic, racial discrimination. In conclusion, understanding about religious xenophobia could be an important element to study xenophobia's phenomenon in contemporary Russia.