The Place and Role of Alternative Forms of Religiousness in Contemporary Russia

Abstract

The chapter sheds light on the place and role of alternative forms of religiousness in contemporary Russia. It contrasts several existing approaches to the religious situation in Russia in 1990s–2000s and analyzes some widespread views and controversies regarding what forms of religiousness should be considered alternative, including the relevance of such terms as occultism, esotericism and the New Age. Contrary to common beliefs, alternative religiousness dates back to the pre-revolutionary time and existed under the Soviet rule, partly in open or even state-supported forms. I argue that the liberalization of mass media and the opportunities for commercialization led to its rise both in the intensity of interest in alternative religiousness among the population and in the scale, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s. Drawing on the author’s survey, selected elements of alternative religiousness are examined. Special attention is paid to the spatial aspects of alternative religiousness. There is a high and statistically significant difference between mobile and non-mobile people regarding the presence of their own experiences with alternative religiousness. Also those who feel a strong bond to their native place tend to believe in numerous concepts of both traditional and alternative religiousness. The survey results convincingly demonstrate that social spaces of contact are a decisive factor in turning to alternative religiousness. Many Russians today share at least some alternative religious views as traditional Christian ones, sometimes in combination, other times in opposition. Alternative religiousness is spread fairly homogenously over the country.