ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH AND THE RELIGIOUS CONSCIOUSNESS OF YOUTH

Abstract

Purpose of the study: this study aimed to analyze the modern representation of death by studying the attitude of religious people, mainly Christians, towards death.
 Methodology: On the basis of the Siberian Federal University, the authors conducted research on the attitude of student youth towards death. The questionnaire in a standardized fashion was used. Likert scale judgments were analyzed. The methodological concepts of the attitude towards the death of such authors as Philippe Ariès and Gilbert Durand, as well as the Russian cosmists, served as the prerequisite for the formation of the research hypothesis. The group of the respondent demonstrated the religious beliefs and their faith in God. The answers of the group were interpreted on the subject of their attitude towards death, the ideas of death, and the types of protection against the fear of death.
 Main Findings: In the course of this work, the authors determined that the majority of student youth formed a negative representation of death that does not correspond with the religious ideology. Several concepts that reflect the attitude of youth towards death and their method of fighting the fear of death are described. The authors draw a conclusion on the state of the religious consciousness of student youth that is a result of unfamiliarity with religious norms or the fusion of the traditions of various religions.
 Applications of this study: The study would serve as an antecedent to further investigation on people’s attitude towards death. The research results can also be applied in social anthropology, social philosophy, and sociology.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The study shows the important attitude of student youth towards death and can help to form the main problems of the religious consciousness of student youth.