Social Pragmatism and Religiosity of Contemporary Russian Youth

Abstract

It presents the results of a study aimed at defining the nature of religiosity of students of higher educational institutions and the specifics of relationship of religiosity with regard to pragmatic life goals. The data obtained illustrate the peculiarities in the perceptions of students, differently characterizing their belief in God, about a notion of a true believer, motivation of their countrymen when turning to God, the nature of religion’s influence on human beings, as well as circumstances under which interviewed subjects personally turn to God. It is established that most of the Russian youths do not think themselves true believers and express doubts about the existence of true believers, demonstrate with regard to the religiosity of their contemporaries’ skepticism and explain the appeal to religion by ignorance, fashion trend and being under human influence of significant others. At the same time, along with their peers, claiming to be true believers, they tend to view religion as a means of consolation and support, and not that of moral perfection and spiritual renewal. In addition, the facts ascertain the presence in true youth believers of egoistic religious motivation and attitude towards God from the standpoint of personal well-being, which suggests their pseudo-religiosity. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s5p135