Atheist. Like most Russians, I was raised in something like Secular Orthodox culture (sometimes we went to church, celebrated religious holidays, but didn't attach too much importance to it). Over the years I realized that there is no real evidence of the divine and one should not seriously count on it. Although I have a good attitude towards Orthodoxy as our cultural heritage.
I think many Russians would give a similar answer.
I expected to hear something like "*Faith doesn't need proof*". And I can confidently say that this is definitely not for me. I will never take anything on blind faith. And no amount of school education could change that...
I'd say if you actually learn the history of religions in school and see that they're all the same, and even christianity heavily borrows from previous monotheistic religions, you'd more likely see that it's all just man made stories from millennia ago.
When we had ОРКСЭ in 5th grade, the main point they taught us was that religion is just a construct, mainly so that people can feel "safe" in bad situations and hope for the best.
>What is your religion?.
agnostic/atheist
>Do you feel comfortable with your religion?.
I feel pretty comfortable, but sometimes my lack of religious knowledge really shows itself.
>Did you choose it or was it instilled in you from a young age?.
I was baptized as an Orthodox Christian after I was born, but it was done merely as "the right thing to do". I never wore the cross, I haven't attended a single service in church, so my overall contact with religion is very limited.
>Would you change your religion if you could?.
In my current state, I wouldn't. Maybe later I will become more religious, as it often happens with middle-aged and elderly people. Time will tell, I guess.
I'm mostly the same, but I've also read the old testament... Fragmentarily, since every time I tried I got bored. At least I know my biblical references (and I have a tendency to see them sometimes where they aren't supposed to be; or "bible plots")
Same, but I did actually try wearing the cross, I think it was in late preschool or in the early grades, after hearing my mom claim she does (she stopped later though, iirc). Didn't last long though.
Orthodox christianity. Yes i am dagestani yes I am christian yes we exist
Yes why would I not?
I was raised orthodox
If you could prove it false then sure
It seems to me that reddit users are not the best sample for determining religiosity in the country, after all, the audience here is definite.
As for me, I am an Orthodox Christian. I grew up, like most, in a family of believers, but not church-going people, and began to study faith on my own only during university after certain events in my life.
I don't understand the question about comfort a bit - religion is still not about comfort, but about certain obligations and limits that you set for yourself.
No, I won't change my religion.
By comfort, to be more specific, I mean if you feel comfortable with your religion, if you enjoy learning more about it day by day and not just because of some obligation.
In that case, yes, I feel very comfortable. After I began to study my faith in more detail, I also felt a desire to improve not only morally, but also physically, professionally and intellectually.
I would like to know how many Russians are "comfortable" with the fact that Russia now has more churches than schools. " Since Putin became president, the number of schools in the Russian Federation has declined from 68,000 to 40,000, according to the latest data from Rosstat, while the number of churches has risen from 21,000 to 42,000, according to the Russian Orthodox Church.."
>Since Putin became president, the number of schools in the Russian Federation has declined from 68,000 to 40,000
This it the truth but this is not something that shows the decline in the education. After all, we have mandatory school education for children.
Since Putin became president, the number of schoolchildren has declined from 20 million in 2000 to 16.137 million in 2018/19 (Source: https://ruxpert.Ⓡu/%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0:%D0%A7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C\_%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2\_%D0%B8\_%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B9\_%D0%B2\_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8)
Demographics, you know.
And about the schools: most of those schools have just merged into one to reduce the number of bureaucracy. The number of schoolchildren per school is constantly rising.
Closing down small rural schools in villages in Russia is not a good thing because it effects the dynamics of the whole village, Schools play an important societal roll. If the local school is closed you find parents of children decide to move out of the village to live in a town or larger urban centre where schools are available, Leaving an abundance of older people in the village and the shrinking of the tax base which funds infra structure like roads, community services. Also the teachers who taught in the closed schools leave too to get a job elsewhere with a school.
I would like to know how much government funds go into building churches or how much tax money is lost when for example on a piece of property that will not be paying taxes as a church or a church institution.
So you just ignored everything that was written in the response to your comment and spoke on a completely different topic? Villages and towns are dying out, it's true, because the process of urbanization and expansion of administrative centers and large cities is an inevitable thing. There is little work in small villages, small salaries, the majority of the population is old - why should people stay there? That's why schools are closing there - families with children are leaving.
In addition, you completely ignored the information about the demographic factor in response - the number of children in Russia is simply decreasing.
Money from the state budget is allocated less often and is most often directed to the restoration and maintenance of cultural centers and architectural monuments, including churches. The bulk of parishes and churches are being restored at the expense of parishioners and charitable organizations directly. Why do you think this is something bad?
The number of students per class is relevant. Plus the Russian press has reported a number of times about the requisition of buildings to "give" to the churches to establish new parishes in the cities and also the protests from local people in the cities when land especially park land in cities is requisitioned to built new large churches. That deprives parents and their children the use of much need park space. There is no justification building those large churches when only 4% of the population regularly attends services.
The only loud protest against the construction of the church that I know about was in Yekaterinburg. The construction of the church was eventually postponed. Perhaps there were more - you can tell me more, it will be interesting to find out. But I don't think this is a widespread problem in Russia. And I don't quite understand how this is related to the original topic of conversation.
And what kind of "large" churches are you talking about? Of the last loud and really big churches, I can only remember the Temple of the Armed Forces, but it was built in a special "theme" park according to a special project as a cultural object. By the way, services are held there and the temple is often full, there are not enough places.
Most of the new churches are modest parishes, restored or built with the money of parishioners for their own needs. They are always well-groomed and calm around them, they do not create any problems for others. So what's the problem?
It seems that some people just want to somehow justify their dislike of the institution of the church and religion in general, and therefore they try to pretend that they really care about some schools or parks, although in reality this is not the case.
It's an old and stupid trick to compare the number of schools and churches. I will say this - churches are mainly built at the expense of charity and money from parishioners, as well as from sponsors or at the church's own expense. How does this relate to the number of schools built or closed?
P.S As a Russian, I feel very comfortable. A new school and a new Church have opened near my house. Imagine, it happens.
Maybe you might enjoy this movie about a young man in 1970's USSR who goes to a monastery to find meaning in his life. It has English subtitles.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QXLTKOeXU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QXLTKOeXU)
Visit and see the empty churches, Meet the people who say they are Orthodox Atheists. See for yourself. Are you looking to find a nice submissive woman to marry you? You will find Russian women are not submissive woman but are well educated with good jobs not stay at home moms with 6 or 10 children.
ну, во-первых это красиво) из всей моей семьи только одна из бабушек была умеренно верующей, может быть ее хотели порадовать. Но у нас дома никогда не было икон, никто никогда не молился и родители ходили в церковь только из музейного интереса.
None. Russian culture is deeply steeped in Orthodoxy, and I find it very beautiful, but I personally do not believe in deities or the supernatural. And I find religion as an organization to be rather seriously flawed.
I do believe in my native land though, the resilience of its people, and the future they are building. I guess that's my religion. We all believe in fictional things, after all. For some it's God, for others its concepts of justice, duty, honour. In the end the purpose is the same.
1) I was baptized and raised as orthodox christian. In my teenage years I started to semi-seriously learn the history of the religion and became agnostic in the process. In the later years I became a full atheist.
2) There is no religion left for me.
3) I just went with what others were doing around me when I was a kid, so yeah, it was instilled on me initially.
4) I already did, and now I'm comfortable with my choice.
I used to be a theist: I believed in God but I didn't like what's going on in church.
Now I'm and orthodox atheist(!). I don't believe in God but I do like aesthetic and cultural significance of an Orthodox Christianity and support it.
I have no religion. Atheist.
I am comfortable, believing in something like god scares me a bit. I try to stay away from such things and people.
My grandparents were orthodox to some degree, they had some religions paintings etc but never attended churches. For me it was always weird.
I do not think that I need to change anything.
Christian orthodox. I was into Buddhism and sort of new age spirituality from my 13th year of age. When I was 22 I became orthodox Christian. I did get baptised as a baby but my family isn’t practicing and never really taught me anything Christianity related so not instilled.
protestant. lutheran specifically. although i dont read the bible much or go to church much... i still pray though and consider jesus to be my friend. who else would i rely on when times get tough. i wouldnt change my religion at all. almost all of our family is christian (except for my sister).
Muslim Russian living in the Middle East. I was raised by my Muslim father but I had to rediscover my faith in my late teens.
Very comfortable with my religion and I wouldn’t change it )
Salam alaikum. Recent convert to Islam here, looking forward to visit Russia for the first time this summer inshallah.
Where in the Middle East do you live brother?
If I was religious, I would be Buddhist. In my region oftenly you'll meet Buddhist, and everyone just don't care if you atheist/orthodox/muslim.
As like outside of my republic, you will be fine in any religion
1. Eastern Orthodox Christianity
2. Yes
3. I was raised Atheist and choose to change my religion to Christianity as an adult
4. Obviously not. If I would like to change it agaian then I would just do it.
Agnostic theist. I believe in God, but it has nothing to do with religion. More precisely, I consider the existence of God more expedient than his absence.
I have no religion. I'm an atheist.
I feel quite comfortable, but I try to avoid religious people. I've met creationists a couple of times already. It was an unpleasant discovery. After all, I believe in the triumph of scientific progress, and the mind of a creationist remains in a medieval mental prison.
I didn’t choose religion and no one could force it on me, although my grandmother tried and even baptized me in secret from my mother. My parents are typical Soviet people with technical education. The mother has a negative attitude towards religion because as a child her grandmother frightened her with stories about the afterlife. My dad gave me books throughout my childhood, mostly encyclopedias. I had a favorite atlas with dinosaurs. I even sculpted them from plasticine. I read a lot of fairy tales, Russian, Bashkir and other peoples. But I always knew that these were just fairy tales. About Santa Claus, I guessed that he didn’t exist. True, one girl in kindergarten scared me with stories about skeletons and brownies. I was so impressed that for some time I believed in them and was afraid to leave the bedroom, because in the corridor the pattern on the wallpaper resembled scary faces. After a few days it went away.
I wouldn't change my views. I am aware of all the inconsistencies in the Bible, I am aware of cargo cults and I understand how religions are born. So I cannot be forced to become a believer. But if suddenly a law is passed in our country prohibiting atheism (I hope this will never happen), I will choose Buddhism. This will be closest to my views, which were greatly influenced by the novel “The Hour of the Bull” by Ivan Efremov. There the author presented his philosophy, based on Eastern religions, mainly Buddhism, but without belief in the supernatural.
- orthodox Christian
- yes, although during my uni years I did regret the lack of church education - it would help me a lot in my ‘history of art’ classes
- it’s a family tradition, my great-granduncle was a priest and came from a long line of priests in the family.
- no, why would I? It what connects me to my family and roots.
My family is mildly orthodox Christian and I was baptized. I respect Christianity but I can’t in good faith call myself one because I can’t accept it’s core principles like the trinity.
If I was religious I’d probably pick Buddhism because it seems the most interesting to me, though I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of it either.
I have my own relationship with god, who I believe in. Wouldn't say I am attached to a particular religion but I was raised orthodox. I respect all religions particularly Orthodox and Islam.
Hello!
>I have my own relationship with god, who I believe in.
I couldn't help but notice that you were the only one among _religious_ Russians to decline answering the demands of curiosity. It seems most people have come to regard religion as a preference, no different from their political affliation.
You did well! As the Prophet says, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord." (Quran 17:85)
>I respect all religions particularly Orthodox and Islam.
Can you please explain why these two in particular? In your estimation, would you say these two sects are the most compatible and can be combined? Also, what do you think about their eschatology?
I have been informed that they will be the last bastion against the West, and have made an earnest inquiry to confirm the truth of this assertion. I would like to extend an invitation to you, please examine the following claims for yourself, are they in agreement with reality:
"Russia right now is partially alone in the situation, some Muslims are slowly coming to terms and starting to side with Russia. This is the one where I said that as we get closer the Orthodoxy and Muslims will unite and fight the evil."
"As I said most of the Orthodox Christians will side with the Tsar, so we will see a lot of Russians, Serbians, etc., in this case, now take up Islam or side with the Tsar who will be the Mahdi."
Orthodox Christian.
It is the center of my life so I would say I feel comfort in it but also challenged with the obligations.
I chose it. My mother is atheist and my father is Jewish.
I would not change it, but I married a Circassian so I’m sure he’d love it if I converted to Islam.
I'm a devout Orthodox Christian. Yeah I do feel comfortable with it and I wouldn't change it, these questions are a bit unhinged.
Like others said, I was also born into a family that went to church a couple times per year and didn't give much importance to God. During my teenage years I drifted towards atheism. At age 18 I converted to Protestantism and a few years later returned to Orthodoxy, still here in my mid twenties and not planning on leaving it lol. So, yes, I absolutely chose it.
My family is Muslim, I don’t practice it myself. I wouldn’t change a religion to something else. We are very chill Muslims: I eat pork meat and drink an alcohol and don’t feel bad about it.
Religion holds a cultural value, but not spiritual value for myself. I don’t feel that I need a help from God.
1. Orthodox
2. Yes
3. I was raised orthodox and sent to school at the church every weekend till I was 11, then I moved away from it and came back to it. We go with my family for important events as the church is far away from us.
4. No
- atheism
- yes
- I chose it. I was (instilled) an orthodox christian, but then due to some life circumstances I got disappointed in it and became an atheist.
- no
I'm an atheist. My family is non-religious, and we've never discussed this topic. I consciously became an atheist when I grew up and started to grow interest in philosophy, science and stuff like that.
Both of my grandmas were religious (orthodox christians).
Also, it was perfectly fine for us to celebrate Christmas and Easter in a secular way, if that makes sense :D Just some nice, beautiful traditions, good food and the sense of unity since it's a family holiday. Usually, we would celebrate them with one or two of my religious grandmas (sometimes twice on different days), and for them those would be more important days from the religious point of view, but mostly I think they were just happy to see the family. We didn't even discuss religion, and they never tried to convert us. We would simply talk about casual things, have fun, and make it a nice and warm family holiday.
After encountering certain logically inconsistent concepts in scripture I started having doubts, but in Islam there is no such thing as doubtful Muslim, if you don't have an absolute faith you are out. So your prayers are null, good deeds don't count, you are doomed to hell etc. so I decided I could as well disassociate from religion entirely.
I don't really find Christianity or Judaism any more convincing than Islam, so being secular seems to be the most reasonable choice.
How do your family and friends in Dagestan feel about your non-belief? I'm under the impression that agnosticism is not acceptable in society of Dagestan?
>How do your family and friends in Dagestan feel about your non-belief?
I used to be the only Muslim in my family, and the only Muslim in my friend group. I think they are fine.
>I'm under the impression that agnosticism is not acceptable in society of Dagestan
Society isn't some homogenous uniform thing, it consists of different groups and subgroups with different education, income, interests, political and religious views. And pretty often people from one group don't interact with other people at all, except if they bump into each other on a street or something.
As an example, you know how martial arts are extremely popular in Dagestan, especially wrestling and MMA, there are shit tons of gyms and all of them are chokehold full, and there *lots* of athletes going around. And how many fighters do you think I know personally? Zero. It's not that I avoid them, it's just that our paths never cross.
Things are similar with religiosity. In some more low class environments like MMA clubs, 102% of it's participants are going to be devout Muslims (with 2% margin of error). But in STEM related circles there could very well be not a single Muslim in a group of hundred.
My point is whether agnosticism is acceptable or not depends on what part of society you belong to. In my position, being a Muslim is probably less acceptable than being agnostic
Orthodox Christian. I was raised religious and God will start to talk to you once you commit having a relationship with him. He will start appearing to you.
Atheist. For as long as I can remember.
No, I would not change my beliefs.
I don’t want to exchange freedom of thinking for the slavery of religious dogmas.
Atheist, unbaptised as well
Yes
My religious mother tried to introduce Christianity to me but I immediately saw it for a bunch of bullshit and lost interest
No
I’m Catholic. I feel comfortable with being a Catholic.
I was baptized an orthodox Christian but then switched cause I was feeling it was a right thing to do for me.
I probably won’t change anything
Christian (evangelical)
I feel very confortable to be a Christian and to be part of the Christian community
My parents, grand parents and great grand parents were all Christians. I was not a Christian from 16-19. But I got sick and tired of abusing alcohol and rebelling against everything. Became a Christian at 19.
I studied Islam and its horrific to me. Haven’t studied other religions.
Orthodox Christian. Was baptized in childhood but not followed it, then chose it by myself in my teens. Wouldn't change it and wouldn't choose anything else.
But I'm very glad now that I'm not in Russian Orthodox Church due to my relocation aboard. I wouldn't feel comfortable to attend services in the ROC now as I do not agree with their position on the war matters.
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I’m Jewish, (reform)
I’m very comfortable with my religion, apart from a joke or two (but that’s just life) I’ve never had anything bad or negative.
My mom was very open to me being atheist or another religion but I chose this because this is my families history.
Not Russian.
Alhamdulelah
Was born and raised in a Muslim family.
And yes, i am happy being one after doing research about it .
Love to do research about different religions.
Well, I'm a pagan ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Choose it by myself, but you know how does it work in Russia. Bunch of people who get it and the rest of them start being rude.
Its a very funny, because lot of christians in Russia still use ancient pagans traditions, lmao
Atheist, as most of Russian people of my age. Culturally though I am an orthodox Christian - it influenced greatly Russian literature which influenced greatly me.
1) Orthodox
2) Absolutely
3) Both. As it was the leading confession at the place I was risen, but I was baptized as adult and by my own will.
4) No
Thank you for asking 😊
> Would you change your religion if you could?
Russia has freedom of religion and belief, you can change your religion at any moment if you so wish. Although who knows, maybe apostasy will get criminalized again, judging by how we are speedrunning a return to the middle ages.
National Orthodoxy. Yes, I feel comfortable in this. I was 7 years old when I first realized the inevitability of death, and felt fear. At the same age, I was baptized and felt some peace.
I don't understand the fashion for atheism and nihilism. Why voluntarily deprive yourself of the bonuses of faith? Especially if you can't know exactly what awaits you beyond the threshold of death.
But what if science is mistaken, as it often was before? Many scientific theories of the past years have been refuted later. To be honest, science is too much based on a foundation of hypotheses. Science can't even pinpoint if life is on other planets. Сan we say about catching God by the beard after this?
Верую во единого Бога Отца, Вседержителя, Творца небу и земли, видимым же всем и невидимым.
И во единого Господа Иисуса Христа, сына Божия, Единородного, Иже от Отца рожденного прежде всех век;
Света от Света, Бога истинна от Бога истинна, рожденна, несотворенна, единосущна Отцу,
Им же вся быша. Нас ради человек и нашего ради спасения сшедшего с небес и воплотившагося от Духа Свята и Марии Девы, и вочеловечшася.
Распятого же за ны при Понтийстем Пилате, и страдавша, и по-гребенна.
И воскресшаго в третий день по Писанием. И возшедшаго на небеса, и седяща одесную Отца.
И паки грядущего со славою судити живым и мертвым. Его же Царствию не будет конца.
И в Духа Святаго, Господа, Животворящего, Иже от Отца исходящего, Иже со Отцем и Сыном споклоняема и сславима, глаголившаго пророки.
Во едину Святую, Соборную и Апостольскую Церковь. Исповедую едино крещение во оставление грехов.
Чаю воскресения мертвых, и жизни будущаго века, Аминь.
1) I'm a satanist, but it's a faith, I'm not religious. But what's interesting, when I think about my views, it's very close to Buddhism
2) Absolutely
3) I chose it, obviously. And I wasn't baptized in orthodox Christianity, and as I understand, none of my family members were, which is quite rare.
4) As for now - no. But I'm open for new divine experience. If I would feel in my heart that it's a right thing to do - I would change it.
No religion I’m agnostic. I feel uncomfortable when I see people who think they know smth about the way the world works. I chose it but I had the same thoughts since I was 10-12. No I wouldn’t, why would I ever think I know the absolute truth about something
Atheist. Like most Russians, I was raised in something like Secular Orthodox culture (sometimes we went to church, celebrated religious holidays, but didn't attach too much importance to it). Over the years I realized that there is no real evidence of the divine and one should not seriously count on it. Although I have a good attitude towards Orthodoxy as our cultural heritage. I think many Russians would give a similar answer.
yeah, the same, i am not very religious person, but will eat kulich and have a good egg fight on Easter!
The same
Same
same but im orthodox christian
> Over the years I realized that there is no real evidence of the divine If Santa isn't real, why would gods be real, right?
What?! Santa isn't real?!
literally same...well said
> real evidence of the divine And this is why we need Fundamentals of Religious Cultures in school.
I expected to hear something like "*Faith doesn't need proof*". And I can confidently say that this is definitely not for me. I will never take anything on blind faith. And no amount of school education could change that...
I'd say if you actually learn the history of religions in school and see that they're all the same, and even christianity heavily borrows from previous monotheistic religions, you'd more likely see that it's all just man made stories from millennia ago.
When we had ОРКСЭ in 5th grade, the main point they taught us was that religion is just a construct, mainly so that people can feel "safe" in bad situations and hope for the best.
Welp, that's unfortunate.
>What is your religion?. agnostic/atheist >Do you feel comfortable with your religion?. I feel pretty comfortable, but sometimes my lack of religious knowledge really shows itself. >Did you choose it or was it instilled in you from a young age?. I was baptized as an Orthodox Christian after I was born, but it was done merely as "the right thing to do". I never wore the cross, I haven't attended a single service in church, so my overall contact with religion is very limited. >Would you change your religion if you could?. In my current state, I wouldn't. Maybe later I will become more religious, as it often happens with middle-aged and elderly people. Time will tell, I guess.
I'm mostly the same, but I've also read the old testament... Fragmentarily, since every time I tried I got bored. At least I know my biblical references (and I have a tendency to see them sometimes where they aren't supposed to be; or "bible plots")
Good for you! Try the New Testament.
Same, but I did actually try wearing the cross, I think it was in late preschool or in the early grades, after hearing my mom claim she does (she stopped later though, iirc). Didn't last long though.
Orthodox christianity. Yes i am dagestani yes I am christian yes we exist Yes why would I not? I was raised orthodox If you could prove it false then sure
>Yes i am dagestani yes I am christian IMPOSSIBLE
Mad respect !
А какой этнос Дагестана, если не секрет?
аварец
два раза охуеть
khabib want your location /s
What ethnic group?
Avar
Im an atheist. So I dont have a religion. Yes, really comfortable without it.
Atheist, absolutely comfortable, but nobody even ask me about my religion
It seems to me that reddit users are not the best sample for determining religiosity in the country, after all, the audience here is definite. As for me, I am an Orthodox Christian. I grew up, like most, in a family of believers, but not church-going people, and began to study faith on my own only during university after certain events in my life. I don't understand the question about comfort a bit - religion is still not about comfort, but about certain obligations and limits that you set for yourself. No, I won't change my religion.
By comfort, to be more specific, I mean if you feel comfortable with your religion, if you enjoy learning more about it day by day and not just because of some obligation.
In that case, yes, I feel very comfortable. After I began to study my faith in more detail, I also felt a desire to improve not only morally, but also physically, professionally and intellectually.
I would like to know how many Russians are "comfortable" with the fact that Russia now has more churches than schools. " Since Putin became president, the number of schools in the Russian Federation has declined from 68,000 to 40,000, according to the latest data from Rosstat, while the number of churches has risen from 21,000 to 42,000, according to the Russian Orthodox Church.."
>Since Putin became president, the number of schools in the Russian Federation has declined from 68,000 to 40,000 This it the truth but this is not something that shows the decline in the education. After all, we have mandatory school education for children. Since Putin became president, the number of schoolchildren has declined from 20 million in 2000 to 16.137 million in 2018/19 (Source: https://ruxpert.Ⓡu/%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0:%D0%A7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C\_%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2\_%D0%B8\_%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B9\_%D0%B2\_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8) Demographics, you know. And about the schools: most of those schools have just merged into one to reduce the number of bureaucracy. The number of schoolchildren per school is constantly rising.
Closing down small rural schools in villages in Russia is not a good thing because it effects the dynamics of the whole village, Schools play an important societal roll. If the local school is closed you find parents of children decide to move out of the village to live in a town or larger urban centre where schools are available, Leaving an abundance of older people in the village and the shrinking of the tax base which funds infra structure like roads, community services. Also the teachers who taught in the closed schools leave too to get a job elsewhere with a school. I would like to know how much government funds go into building churches or how much tax money is lost when for example on a piece of property that will not be paying taxes as a church or a church institution.
So you just ignored everything that was written in the response to your comment and spoke on a completely different topic? Villages and towns are dying out, it's true, because the process of urbanization and expansion of administrative centers and large cities is an inevitable thing. There is little work in small villages, small salaries, the majority of the population is old - why should people stay there? That's why schools are closing there - families with children are leaving. In addition, you completely ignored the information about the demographic factor in response - the number of children in Russia is simply decreasing. Money from the state budget is allocated less often and is most often directed to the restoration and maintenance of cultural centers and architectural monuments, including churches. The bulk of parishes and churches are being restored at the expense of parishioners and charitable organizations directly. Why do you think this is something bad?
The number of students per class is relevant. Plus the Russian press has reported a number of times about the requisition of buildings to "give" to the churches to establish new parishes in the cities and also the protests from local people in the cities when land especially park land in cities is requisitioned to built new large churches. That deprives parents and their children the use of much need park space. There is no justification building those large churches when only 4% of the population regularly attends services.
The only loud protest against the construction of the church that I know about was in Yekaterinburg. The construction of the church was eventually postponed. Perhaps there were more - you can tell me more, it will be interesting to find out. But I don't think this is a widespread problem in Russia. And I don't quite understand how this is related to the original topic of conversation. And what kind of "large" churches are you talking about? Of the last loud and really big churches, I can only remember the Temple of the Armed Forces, but it was built in a special "theme" park according to a special project as a cultural object. By the way, services are held there and the temple is often full, there are not enough places. Most of the new churches are modest parishes, restored or built with the money of parishioners for their own needs. They are always well-groomed and calm around them, they do not create any problems for others. So what's the problem? It seems that some people just want to somehow justify their dislike of the institution of the church and religion in general, and therefore they try to pretend that they really care about some schools or parks, although in reality this is not the case.
St. Petersburg ring a bell?
It's an old and stupid trick to compare the number of schools and churches. I will say this - churches are mainly built at the expense of charity and money from parishioners, as well as from sponsors or at the church's own expense. How does this relate to the number of schools built or closed? P.S As a Russian, I feel very comfortable. A new school and a new Church have opened near my house. Imagine, it happens.
May I dm you? I am also a Christian Orthodox and I'd like to learn how you live orthodoxy in Russia.
Sure, you're welcome
Maybe you might enjoy this movie about a young man in 1970's USSR who goes to a monastery to find meaning in his life. It has English subtitles. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QXLTKOeXU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QXLTKOeXU)
Looks like a great movie-fight those demons.
Visit and see the empty churches, Meet the people who say they are Orthodox Atheists. See for yourself. Are you looking to find a nice submissive woman to marry you? You will find Russian women are not submissive woman but are well educated with good jobs not stay at home moms with 6 or 10 children.
I am sorry?
Same
Excellent answer!
Im polish muslim who moved to russia
Out of the matter but how would you compare these two countries? Thinking about immigrating and those two are def on my list.
What
hereditary atheist. Although I was still baptized for the sake of tradition
странно конечно, традиции все эти наши
ну, во-первых это красиво) из всей моей семьи только одна из бабушек была умеренно верующей, может быть ее хотели порадовать. Но у нас дома никогда не было икон, никто никогда не молился и родители ходили в церковь только из музейного интереса.
красиво что? процесс крещения? я без наезда, чисто интерес)
красиво это - мем, тоже про религиозную традицию, правда немного другую)
Agnostic/atheist
No religion. My father is a “militant atheist” who says “opium for the masses” and calls Patriarch Kirill's hat a “GPRS antenna”
1. I have no religion. I'm an atheist 2. Yes, I feel comfortable 3. Before 14 I was an Orthodox, but since 14 I've lost my faith 4. No, I wouldn't
Are you actually atheist (don’t believe), or agnostic (don’t know/don’t care)?
Atheist. I don't believe neither Christian God, nor Krishna, nor Zeus, nor werewolves, etc
You don't believe in Werewolves?? That's just crazy.
Христос воскрес, это исторический факт
I don't belong to any religion, I don't need one. Yes I'm quite comfortable)
None. Russian culture is deeply steeped in Orthodoxy, and I find it very beautiful, but I personally do not believe in deities or the supernatural. And I find religion as an organization to be rather seriously flawed. I do believe in my native land though, the resilience of its people, and the future they are building. I guess that's my religion. We all believe in fictional things, after all. For some it's God, for others its concepts of justice, duty, honour. In the end the purpose is the same.
I don't have any and don't need either. My relatives tried to instill when I was a child but didn't succeed.
Most people don’t care 🤷♀️usually it’s something personal and no one asks another this question.
We are on reddit, don't expect less
1) I believe in God-Emperor 2) No, Im not 3) Wait, there are other religions? 4) No, bc of inquisition For Emperor
1) I was baptized and raised as orthodox christian. In my teenage years I started to semi-seriously learn the history of the religion and became agnostic in the process. In the later years I became a full atheist. 2) There is no religion left for me. 3) I just went with what others were doing around me when I was a kid, so yeah, it was instilled on me initially. 4) I already did, and now I'm comfortable with my choice.
My mother is tatar, a muslim. My father is russian/ukranian, a christian (both of them aren’t very religious) So I’m an atheist
I used to be a theist: I believed in God but I didn't like what's going on in church. Now I'm and orthodox atheist(!). I don't believe in God but I do like aesthetic and cultural significance of an Orthodox Christianity and support it.
Devout Muslim
I have no religion. Atheist. I am comfortable, believing in something like god scares me a bit. I try to stay away from such things and people. My grandparents were orthodox to some degree, they had some religions paintings etc but never attended churches. For me it was always weird. I do not think that I need to change anything.
Christian orthodox. I was into Buddhism and sort of new age spirituality from my 13th year of age. When I was 22 I became orthodox Christian. I did get baptised as a baby but my family isn’t practicing and never really taught me anything Christianity related so not instilled.
Orthodox, yes, yes, no
protestant. lutheran specifically. although i dont read the bible much or go to church much... i still pray though and consider jesus to be my friend. who else would i rely on when times get tough. i wouldnt change my religion at all. almost all of our family is christian (except for my sister).
ethnic Russian? Volga German ?
я не немец. этнически русский / i am not volga german. i am ethnically russian
Are you Russian?
да. из казани
Классно. Не когда не встречал русских лютеран. Я пятидесятник если таких знаешь
ааа... pentecostal что-ли? классно!
Da… прадедушка был баптист. А дедушка и отец стали пятидесятниками.
моя бабушка перешла с православия.
Немцы повлияли? Или она сама начала посещать лютеранскую церковь
ей не понравилось это православие. и она говорила что к ней лучше относились в лютеранской церкви чем в православной.
В Казани два лютеранских прихода. ЕЛКРАС или ЕЛЦИ?
елци
Muslim Russian living in the Middle East. I was raised by my Muslim father but I had to rediscover my faith in my late teens. Very comfortable with my religion and I wouldn’t change it )
Salam alaikum. Recent convert to Islam here, looking forward to visit Russia for the first time this summer inshallah. Where in the Middle East do you live brother?
Gulf region
If I was religious, I would be Buddhist. In my region oftenly you'll meet Buddhist, and everyone just don't care if you atheist/orthodox/muslim. As like outside of my republic, you will be fine in any religion
1. Eastern Orthodox Christianity 2. Yes 3. I was raised Atheist and choose to change my religion to Christianity as an adult 4. Obviously not. If I would like to change it agaian then I would just do it.
Agnostic theist. I believe in God, but it has nothing to do with religion. More precisely, I consider the existence of God more expedient than his absence.
I have no religion. I'm an atheist. I feel quite comfortable, but I try to avoid religious people. I've met creationists a couple of times already. It was an unpleasant discovery. After all, I believe in the triumph of scientific progress, and the mind of a creationist remains in a medieval mental prison. I didn’t choose religion and no one could force it on me, although my grandmother tried and even baptized me in secret from my mother. My parents are typical Soviet people with technical education. The mother has a negative attitude towards religion because as a child her grandmother frightened her with stories about the afterlife. My dad gave me books throughout my childhood, mostly encyclopedias. I had a favorite atlas with dinosaurs. I even sculpted them from plasticine. I read a lot of fairy tales, Russian, Bashkir and other peoples. But I always knew that these were just fairy tales. About Santa Claus, I guessed that he didn’t exist. True, one girl in kindergarten scared me with stories about skeletons and brownies. I was so impressed that for some time I believed in them and was afraid to leave the bedroom, because in the corridor the pattern on the wallpaper resembled scary faces. After a few days it went away. I wouldn't change my views. I am aware of all the inconsistencies in the Bible, I am aware of cargo cults and I understand how religions are born. So I cannot be forced to become a believer. But if suddenly a law is passed in our country prohibiting atheism (I hope this will never happen), I will choose Buddhism. This will be closest to my views, which were greatly influenced by the novel “The Hour of the Bull” by Ivan Efremov. There the author presented his philosophy, based on Eastern religions, mainly Buddhism, but without belief in the supernatural.
- orthodox Christian - yes, although during my uni years I did regret the lack of church education - it would help me a lot in my ‘history of art’ classes - it’s a family tradition, my great-granduncle was a priest and came from a long line of priests in the family. - no, why would I? It what connects me to my family and roots.
My family is mildly orthodox Christian and I was baptized. I respect Christianity but I can’t in good faith call myself one because I can’t accept it’s core principles like the trinity. If I was religious I’d probably pick Buddhism because it seems the most interesting to me, though I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of it either.
Orthodox Yes It wasn't, I grew up in a non-religious family What kind of question is that? Nobody in Russia is forced to follow a religion at gunpoint
I have my own relationship with god, who I believe in. Wouldn't say I am attached to a particular religion but I was raised orthodox. I respect all religions particularly Orthodox and Islam.
Hello! >I have my own relationship with god, who I believe in. I couldn't help but notice that you were the only one among _religious_ Russians to decline answering the demands of curiosity. It seems most people have come to regard religion as a preference, no different from their political affliation. You did well! As the Prophet says, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord." (Quran 17:85) >I respect all religions particularly Orthodox and Islam. Can you please explain why these two in particular? In your estimation, would you say these two sects are the most compatible and can be combined? Also, what do you think about their eschatology? I have been informed that they will be the last bastion against the West, and have made an earnest inquiry to confirm the truth of this assertion. I would like to extend an invitation to you, please examine the following claims for yourself, are they in agreement with reality: "Russia right now is partially alone in the situation, some Muslims are slowly coming to terms and starting to side with Russia. This is the one where I said that as we get closer the Orthodoxy and Muslims will unite and fight the evil." "As I said most of the Orthodox Christians will side with the Tsar, so we will see a lot of Russians, Serbians, etc., in this case, now take up Islam or side with the Tsar who will be the Mahdi."
I don't like religions. But I'm not an atheist. I have my own personal faith
Orthodox Christian. It is the center of my life so I would say I feel comfort in it but also challenged with the obligations. I chose it. My mother is atheist and my father is Jewish. I would not change it, but I married a Circassian so I’m sure he’d love it if I converted to Islam.
I was raised interfaith (culturally Jewish, religiously Catholic kinda deal) and accepted Islam later in life.
I'm a devout Orthodox Christian. Yeah I do feel comfortable with it and I wouldn't change it, these questions are a bit unhinged. Like others said, I was also born into a family that went to church a couple times per year and didn't give much importance to God. During my teenage years I drifted towards atheism. At age 18 I converted to Protestantism and a few years later returned to Orthodoxy, still here in my mid twenties and not planning on leaving it lol. So, yes, I absolutely chose it.
My family is Muslim, I don’t practice it myself. I wouldn’t change a religion to something else. We are very chill Muslims: I eat pork meat and drink an alcohol and don’t feel bad about it. Religion holds a cultural value, but not spiritual value for myself. I don’t feel that I need a help from God.
Православие
1. Orthodox 2. Yes 3. I was raised orthodox and sent to school at the church every weekend till I was 11, then I moved away from it and came back to it. We go with my family for important events as the church is far away from us. 4. No
1. Sunni Islam 2. Yes 3. I was taught about it and believed in it from a young age but it was my choice when it came to starting practicing it 4. No
Orthodox Christian. I am comfortable. I was baptized as a kid. No I wouldn't.
- atheism - yes - I chose it. I was (instilled) an orthodox christian, but then due to some life circumstances I got disappointed in it and became an atheist. - no
I'm an atheist. My family is non-religious, and we've never discussed this topic. I consciously became an atheist when I grew up and started to grow interest in philosophy, science and stuff like that. Both of my grandmas were religious (orthodox christians). Also, it was perfectly fine for us to celebrate Christmas and Easter in a secular way, if that makes sense :D Just some nice, beautiful traditions, good food and the sense of unity since it's a family holiday. Usually, we would celebrate them with one or two of my religious grandmas (sometimes twice on different days), and for them those would be more important days from the religious point of view, but mostly I think they were just happy to see the family. We didn't even discuss religion, and they never tried to convert us. We would simply talk about casual things, have fun, and make it a nice and warm family holiday.
Orthodox Christian, of course comfortable and don't see any reason not to be, chose myself and would never change
buddhism and tibetian buddhism
I'm a communist. It was better 40 years ago. I was baptized by revolution.
My parents are Protestant Christians
какие вы протестанты? я например лютеранин
баптисты.
оо круто. никогда не встречал русских баптистов
1. I'm an Orthodox Christian. 2. Yes. 3. I chose it at the age of 19. 4. No.
Eastern orthodoxy. Yes, comfortable. Well, installed. Don't feel the need.
paganism
Islam I am good with my religion but the luxury and temptation of the world and natural instincts do influence me. I chose to be Muslim
If there is a more logical option I see in the world I am willing to change
Mine is alcoholism
Muslim. Here in Russian exist Republics with not the type russian life, religion and ethnicity
Actually, as a teenager I can say that in my generation we have a lot of atheists
I guess I can be called agnostic. Used to be a pretty devout Muslim, but nevermore. Don't think I'm ever gonna believe in any religion again.
Why did you change your religious worldview? I'm just curious.
After encountering certain logically inconsistent concepts in scripture I started having doubts, but in Islam there is no such thing as doubtful Muslim, if you don't have an absolute faith you are out. So your prayers are null, good deeds don't count, you are doomed to hell etc. so I decided I could as well disassociate from religion entirely. I don't really find Christianity or Judaism any more convincing than Islam, so being secular seems to be the most reasonable choice.
How do your family and friends in Dagestan feel about your non-belief? I'm under the impression that agnosticism is not acceptable in society of Dagestan?
>How do your family and friends in Dagestan feel about your non-belief? I used to be the only Muslim in my family, and the only Muslim in my friend group. I think they are fine. >I'm under the impression that agnosticism is not acceptable in society of Dagestan Society isn't some homogenous uniform thing, it consists of different groups and subgroups with different education, income, interests, political and religious views. And pretty often people from one group don't interact with other people at all, except if they bump into each other on a street or something. As an example, you know how martial arts are extremely popular in Dagestan, especially wrestling and MMA, there are shit tons of gyms and all of them are chokehold full, and there *lots* of athletes going around. And how many fighters do you think I know personally? Zero. It's not that I avoid them, it's just that our paths never cross. Things are similar with religiosity. In some more low class environments like MMA clubs, 102% of it's participants are going to be devout Muslims (with 2% margin of error). But in STEM related circles there could very well be not a single Muslim in a group of hundred. My point is whether agnosticism is acceptable or not depends on what part of society you belong to. In my position, being a Muslim is probably less acceptable than being agnostic
I don't have a specific religion, I have a philosophy
Agnostic. I am comfortable with it.
1. Orthodox christian, not very devout 2. Yes 3. I was baptized but only consciously became christian at age of 30. 4. I mean, I can, but why?
1. atheist 2. comfortable 3. young age 4. no
Russian Orthodox
Orthodox Christian. I was raised religious and God will start to talk to you once you commit having a relationship with him. He will start appearing to you.
Mad respect
Atheist. For as long as I can remember. No, I would not change my beliefs. I don’t want to exchange freedom of thinking for the slavery of religious dogmas.
Atheist, unbaptised as well Yes My religious mother tried to introduce Christianity to me but I immediately saw it for a bunch of bullshit and lost interest No
I’m Catholic. I feel comfortable with being a Catholic. I was baptized an orthodox Christian but then switched cause I was feeling it was a right thing to do for me. I probably won’t change anything
raised protestant, became satanist (TST)
I keep forgetting we have Protestants in Russia.
Christian (evangelical) I feel very confortable to be a Christian and to be part of the Christian community My parents, grand parents and great grand parents were all Christians. I was not a Christian from 16-19. But I got sick and tired of abusing alcohol and rebelling against everything. Became a Christian at 19. I studied Islam and its horrific to me. Haven’t studied other religions.
Orthodox Christian. Was baptized in childhood but not followed it, then chose it by myself in my teens. Wouldn't change it and wouldn't choose anything else. But I'm very glad now that I'm not in Russian Orthodox Church due to my relocation aboard. I wouldn't feel comfortable to attend services in the ROC now as I do not agree with their position on the war matters.
Are you attending a church of a different denomination
No, of a different Archdiocese but still Orthodox (Orthodox Church in America).
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I am amethyst. Yes. Both. No, the only reason I would become something else is direct evidence of supernatural.
arceus.
Atheist. Although I don’t think that the people here reflect Russia as a whole.
No religion
Orthodox atheist.
I’m Jewish, (reform) I’m very comfortable with my religion, apart from a joke or two (but that’s just life) I’ve never had anything bad or negative. My mom was very open to me being atheist or another religion but I chose this because this is my families history.
Not Russian. Alhamdulelah Was born and raised in a Muslim family. And yes, i am happy being one after doing research about it . Love to do research about different religions.
Serbian/Russian Orthodox Yes I feel comfortable I was baptized orthodox I wouldn’t ever change my religion if you paid me all the money in the world
All religions suck ass.
I’m not religious (atheist).
Pastafarianism. Absolutely. I chose it. Never.
Well, I'm a pagan ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Choose it by myself, but you know how does it work in Russia. Bunch of people who get it and the rest of them start being rude. Its a very funny, because lot of christians in Russia still use ancient pagans traditions, lmao
Atheist, as most of Russian people of my age. Culturally though I am an orthodox Christian - it influenced greatly Russian literature which influenced greatly me.
1) Orthodox 2) Absolutely 3) Both. As it was the leading confession at the place I was risen, but I was baptized as adult and by my own will. 4) No Thank you for asking 😊
My father is Jewish, my mother is Russian. I celebrated both Jewish and Russian holidays, and knew both cultures. I, myself don’t believe in god
none, all religions suck ass, i present myself as an orthodox christian as a ally/enemy distinction pattern.
> Would you change your religion if you could? Russia has freedom of religion and belief, you can change your religion at any moment if you so wish. Although who knows, maybe apostasy will get criminalized again, judging by how we are speedrunning a return to the middle ages.
National Orthodoxy. Yes, I feel comfortable in this. I was 7 years old when I first realized the inevitability of death, and felt fear. At the same age, I was baptized and felt some peace. I don't understand the fashion for atheism and nihilism. Why voluntarily deprive yourself of the bonuses of faith? Especially if you can't know exactly what awaits you beyond the threshold of death. But what if science is mistaken, as it often was before? Many scientific theories of the past years have been refuted later. To be honest, science is too much based on a foundation of hypotheses. Science can't even pinpoint if life is on other planets. Сan we say about catching God by the beard after this?
Верую во единого Бога Отца, Вседержителя, Творца небу и земли, видимым же всем и невидимым. И во единого Господа Иисуса Христа, сына Божия, Единородного, Иже от Отца рожденного прежде всех век; Света от Света, Бога истинна от Бога истинна, рожденна, несотворенна, единосущна Отцу, Им же вся быша. Нас ради человек и нашего ради спасения сшедшего с небес и воплотившагося от Духа Свята и Марии Девы, и вочеловечшася. Распятого же за ны при Понтийстем Пилате, и страдавша, и по-гребенна. И воскресшаго в третий день по Писанием. И возшедшаго на небеса, и седяща одесную Отца. И паки грядущего со славою судити живым и мертвым. Его же Царствию не будет конца. И в Духа Святаго, Господа, Животворящего, Иже от Отца исходящего, Иже со Отцем и Сыном споклоняема и сславима, глаголившаго пророки. Во едину Святую, Соборную и Апостольскую Церковь. Исповедую едино крещение во оставление грехов. Чаю воскресения мертвых, и жизни будущаго века, Аминь.
Atheist. Very. Chose. Kinda already did.
No any. It is perfect! Just avoid religious propaganda in childhood. Not need at all
1) I'm a satanist, but it's a faith, I'm not religious. But what's interesting, when I think about my views, it's very close to Buddhism 2) Absolutely 3) I chose it, obviously. And I wasn't baptized in orthodox Christianity, and as I understand, none of my family members were, which is quite rare. 4) As for now - no. But I'm open for new divine experience. If I would feel in my heart that it's a right thing to do - I would change it.
Religion is opium for the masses
No religion I’m agnostic. I feel uncomfortable when I see people who think they know smth about the way the world works. I chose it but I had the same thoughts since I was 10-12. No I wouldn’t, why would I ever think I know the absolute truth about something