Факторы формирования веротерпимости (на примере социологического опроса городского населения Дагестана)

Abstract

The problem of interreligious tolerance, the nature of relations between followers of different faiths is actualized in the multi-confessional and multi-ethnic space. As part of the study of religious identity and cult behavior of the urban population of Dagestan, the issue of religious tolerance, as well as factors of deterioration in the interreligious sphere, was touched upon. Empirical data show that the spread of new religious movements, alien to traditional Islam, appearance of political parties and leaders using religious feelings of the population for political ends, the desire of Islamic organi-zations to get an exclusive position in Dagestani society and the struggle and ambitions of spiritual leaders (imams) for influence, – all contribute to religious intolerance in contemporary Dagestani society. In the mass consciousness of urban population in general, one can observe a positive atti-tude towards proselytism and proselytizing activities, although the subgroups identifying themselves as unbelievers and vocal unbelievers emphasize the destructive role of this process with the motiva-tion of deteriorating, firstly, the ethnic situation, and, secondly, the inter-religious relations in socie-ty. In addition, empirical data show that the urban population surveyed believes that the main func-tion of clergy is public ministry, assistance to the needy, spiritual and moral education. At the same time religious organizations are viewed as unable to effectively resolve the problems of interethnic confrontation and ethnic conflicts.