Interest in non-traditional religions among Moscow youth and migrants (regional sociological experience 2021)

Abstract

The article analyzes the results of the monitoring study "How Moscow Lives" 2021, conducted by the Department of Ethnodemographic, Religious, and Integration Processes of ISPI FNIC RAS and the Center for Sociology of Religion and Socio-Cultural Processes of ISPI FNIC RAS. The article focuses on the typological subgroups of Moscow youth and newcomers’ "practitioners" and "non-practitioners" in a comparative analysis. These subgroups are selected according to their interest in Eastern and non-traditional religions and teachings, their motivation for interest in these beliefs, and their involvement in the everyday practices of these religions and teachings. To date, new methodological and methodological developments in the study of non-traditional religiosity in connection with the constantly changing religious landscape are needed. With the intensification of migration flows from post-Soviet countries and other regions of Russia, it is necessary to study not only Moscow youths, but also newcomers. The typological subgroups "practicing" and "non-practicing" analyzed the degree of influence of worldview aspects of non-traditional religious identity on some national, religious, ethno-confessional orientations and attitudes of young people (native and newcomer Muscovites). All of the indicators of non-traditional religiosity were found to be present in the subgroup of visitors "practicing". Despite the fact that the results of the study recorded in the group of indigenous Muscovites greater interest in Eastern religions and non-traditional religious teachings than the migrant Muscovites, nevertheless on all major indicators the non-indigenous Muscovites have a deeper motivation of interest and involvement in the practices of these beliefs. As the results of the research show, the level of trust in traditional confessions and the institution of the Church is higher in the "non-practicing" groups than in the "practicing" ones. At the same time, "practitioners" are more tolerant of representatives of other ethnic groups and confessions.