Особенности манипуляции сознанием и поведением посредством образно-символических конструктов в идеологии религиозных социальных институтов

Abstract

The article examines religion as a social institution. A definition of manipulation is given, and the main criteria for influencing mass consciousness, which makes it possible to determine the behavior of social groups and individuals are formulated. The substantive basis for the objectification of symbols through the emotional and ideological saturation of images is considered. A comparative analysis of objectification and simulation of an image in a symbol is carried out. The author explains the role of emotional objectification of figurative and symbolic religious constructs, emphasizes the fundamental importance of the personal experience of the image from the point of view of its acquisition of motivational power. The author’s aim was to show how religious organisations, as social institutions, manipulate people's minds and behaviour. The article shows that the use of a specific religious language, in which figurative and symbolic constructs occupy a significant place, plays a major role in the manipulation of people’s consciousness and behavior. Various religious organizations manipulate people’s consciousness and behavior on the basis of such figurative and symbolic constructs as “the Fall”, “grace”, “salvation” and “the Kingdom of God”. The emotional and ideological objectification of these constructs is considered from the point of view of the main strands of Christianity. Religion as a social institution shapes a certain perception and determines the individual experience of these symbols. Emotions that arise as a result of empathic experience of the phenomena described in theological texts shape the motivations and prescriptions that govern behavior. The main aim of these manipulations is to strengthen religious belief, the dominant position of various religious organizations in society and the subordination of the personality of the church as a social institution. The novelty of the work lies in the study of the role of figurative and symbolic constructs in the manipulation of people’s consciousness and social behavior by religious organizations.